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people technology innovation

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JULIE MATTHEWSFIRST AID MISTAKESYOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE

THE TRUTH ABOUT WORK AND LIFE AT

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OUT OF ANTARCTICASPENCER SMIRL DESCRIBES HIS AMAZING ADVENTURE

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TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

techlife > contentsON THE COVER24 First aid mistakes you

don’t want to make

38 Out of Antarctica: Spencer Smirl describes his amazing adventure

45 More trouble for consumer crusader Julie Matthews

50 Architect Brad Kennedy’s height of luxury

53 Getting down to earth with Lynn Crawford

63 The truth about work and life at Facebook

INNOVATE27 Sparks will Fly

KyleWaltonforgesabusinessfromtheancientcraftofblacksmithing

31 Bring on the Manufacturing Renaissance HowthreealumniareusheringinaneweconomicerabymakingitinAlberta

PEOPLE37 184,000 Strong

Afamilyportrait:NAITalumni,thenandnow,by

thenumbers

38 Spencer Smirl at the Edge of the World Aheavyequipmentmechanicspent11monthsinAntarctica–andlivedtotellthetale

45 Looking for TroubleFormerGlobalTVTroubleshooterJulieMatthewsmakesherroleasaconsumercrusaderofficial

50 Urban PearlArchitectBradKennedytakesluxurydowntownlivingtonewheights

CULINAIT53 Lessons from a Butcher’s

DaughterLynnCrawford,2014HokansonChefinResidence,groundsculinarystudentsintherealityofthejourneytolifeasacelebritychef

57 RecipeChefLynnCrawford’ssalmoncevichewithlime-marinatedbeets

DEPARTMENTS6 The Latest from

techlifemag.ca Yoursourceforexclusivecontent

7 Contributors

8 Editor’s Note

11 Connectionswiththe

President

13 TechnofileTechnology,innovation,news

21 3 QuestionsThestateandfutureofAlberta’shomebuildingindustry

22 Ask an ExpertRRSPvs.TFSA

Cover photo By BlaisevanMalsen

38 45 13

4 techlifemag.ca

13 66

27

Matt Bell –Marketing’12(p.66)

Ralph Boonstra –IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’73(p.13)

Dale-Marie Cumberbatch – DigitalandInteractiveMedia’08,ComputerNetworkAdministration’09,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’12(p.65)

Roger Dootson–Carpenter’77(p.65)

Andre Gagnon–HeavyEquipmentTechnician’02(p.65)

Malcolm Haines–SheetMetalWorker’94(p.17)

Julia Hogendoorn–CulinaryArts’14(p.56)

Trevor Hoover–ArchitecturalTechnology’89(p.21)

Kristin Jacobs–DigitalMediaandIT’13(p.17)

Brad Kennedy–ArchitecturalTechnology’86(p.50)

Kyle Kulyk–DigitalMediaandIT’11(p.65)

Wayne Land–Management’70(p.65)

Klint Langstaff–ArchitecturalTechnology’99(p.21)

Brendan Lunty–CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04(p.65)

Julie Matthews–RadioandTelevision’95(p.45)

James Osualdini–ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’11(p.33)

Jim Rakievich–HeavyDutyMechanic’82(p.34)

Dylan Reade¬RadioandTelevision’85(p.18)

Susan Reade¬RadioandTelevision’85(p.18)

Steve Reid–BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’11,Electrician’96,AirConditioningEngineeringTechnology’87(p.59)

Landon Schedler–Carpenter’10(p.66)

Michael Scheideman–RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic’13(p.65)

Trent Schneider–DigitalMediaandIT’13(p.17)

Roberto Sgambaro–CommercialCooking’86(p.35)

Spencer Smirl–HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07(p.38)

Burhan Syed–ComputerEngineeringTechnology’97(p.63)

Laura Tailleur–Marketing’09(p.66)

Kathleen Versteegt–GraphicCommunications’06,ComputerSystemsTechnology’08,DigitalMediaandIT’10(p.15)

Jeremy Walter–ArchitecturalTechnology’03(p.21)

Kyle Walton–Pre-Technology’03(p.27)

Neil Wenger–ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79(p.19)

David Yowney–IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’78(p.16)

NAIT ALUMNI FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE24 How to

Firstaidmistakesyou

don’twanttomake

59 SpacesSubterraneanNAIT

61 5 Ways to Get Involved with NAIT Givebackinmorewaysthanone

63 Job DescriptionChangingtheworldthroughFacebook

65 AcclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends

66 RewindHistoryinhardwood

v8.1 2014 5

TECHLIFEMAG.CA

6 techlifemag.ca

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Sunny daysEntrepreneurAbdoulDiawara(AlternativeEnergyTechnology’13)seesabrightfutureforsolarpowerinWestAfrica.techlifemag.ca/abdoul-diawara.htm

It’s about timeFindoutwherethehoursgowiththesefivetipsforbettertimemanagement.techlifemag.ca/time-management.htm

Purr-fectly executedHowLindaHoang(RadioandTelevision’11)successfullyorganizedEdmonton’sfirstinternationalcatfestival.techlifemag.ca/event-organizing.htm

A bee-utiful storyInstructorJocelynCrockeriscreatingabuzzwithEdmonton’sbackyardbeekeepingpilotproject.techlifemag.ca/bees.htm

The running manBrendanLunty(CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04)isoneofAlberta’sfastestmarathonrunners.Notlongago,hewasn’t.techlifemag.ca/brendan-lunty.htm

The racer’s edgeBehindeverygreatdragsterdriverisagreatmechanic.DanBrochu(AutomotiveServicesTechnician’84)isonesuchmechanic.techlifemag.ca/drag-racing.htm

Going soloHowtogetnoticedforalltherightreasonsandstopstandingoutinacrowd.techlifemag.ca/go-solo.htm

Revivin’ the drive-inFredThompson(Management’12)isdriventobringbackaquintessentialprairiesummerexperienceofoutdoorcinema.techlifemag.ca/drive-in.htm

Having her cakeHowDarcyScott(Baking’08)crowdfundedherwaytoowningtheWhimsicalCakeStudio.techlifemag.ca/whimsical-cake.htm

Great handshake!

SO THEN I SAYS, I SAYS...

Betweenprintissuesoftechlife,wepostnewstoriesattechlifemag.ca.Tostayintheknow–andreceiveusefulcontent,includingrecipesandhow-tostories–signupforoure-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.Here’sasample.

the latest from techlifemag.ca

CONTRIBUTORS

techlifev8.1 2014

people technology innovationtechlifemag.ca

editor SherriKrastelmanaging and online editorScottMessengerassociate editorShellyDeckerart directorDerekLuedesignersDruDavids,RoryLee,AndyOviatt,TinaTomljenoviccopy editorRuthGrenvillecirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers FionaBensler,MartaGold,LindaHoang(RadioandTelevision’11),FrankLandry,MifiPurvis,SpencerSmirl(HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07),BlaisevanMalsencontributing photographers LeighKovesy(PhotographicTechnology’01),JeanetteSesay(PhotographicTechnology’10),BlaisevanMalsensubscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@techlifemag.ca.

Signupforthetechlifemag.cae-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.freelance submissionsSendqueriestoeditor@techlifemag.ca.Wedonotacceptunsolicitedmanuscripts.letters to the editoreditor@techlifemag.caadvertising and circulation inquiriescirculation@techlifemag.ca

TechlifemagazineispublishedtwiceayearbyNAITMarketingandCommunications.Onlinefeaturesarepublishedregularlyattechlifemag.ca.OpinionsexpressedarenotnecessarilythoseofNAITortheeditorialteam.

TechlifeisaproudmemberoftheAlbertaMagazinePublishersAssociation,abidingbythenationalmagazineadvertising/editorialguidelines(albertamagazines.com).

Ruth GrenvillehasalwaysbeenfondoftheUnionJack.HerEnglishmummarriedherdashing-in-uniformdad,aCanadiansoldier,in1946,thencametothePrairiesasawarbride.“IgrewupwithteacoziesandYorkshirepuddingandasenseofanotherworldoverseas.”It’snowonderthatGrenvilletookhercareertotheU.K.,wheresheworkedinpublishingandthenpost-secondarymarketingfor12years.Yethomeisdefinitelyhere.“IamthrilledtobebackinAlberta,”shesays.Ascopyeditorfortechlife,sheistryingtogetoverBritishspelling,whilemindingherPsandQs.

PAGE f 22 & 24

Asaformerjournalist,techlife’sassociateeditorShelly Deckerisastrongadvocateforaccurate,relevantandinterestingstorytelling.Forthepastdecadeshe’sbeenabletomergeherpassionsforjournalismandeducationbyteachingatMacEwanUniversitywheresheservedaschairofitsformerjournalismdiplomaprogram.Avoraciousreader,naturelover,andafailureatgettingherWheatentoheel,Decker’sgreatestjoycomesfromhertwoamazingsons.Asabusymom,Deckerknowsfirst-handtheneedforfirstaidcertification,whichiswhyshe’shappytowriteaboutcommonfirstaidmistakesinthisissue.

PAGE f 27, 53 & 59

AmemberofNAIT’scommunicationsteamandlong-timenewsandfeaturesreporter,Marta Goldlikesfewthingsmorethanfood–cookingit,eatingitandwritingaboutit.ThatmadeheranaturaltofollowcelebritychefLynnCrawfordaroundduringherweekasHokansonChefinResidenceatNAITlastMarch.Turnsouttheyshareafondnessforpickles,candyanddogs(butnotasfood).Whenshe’snotatwork,you’llfindGoldhangingoutwithhersons(twoofthethingsshedoeslikebetterthanfood),runningintherivervalley(tiedwithfood)andreviewingrestaurantsfortheEdmonton Journal.

PAGE f 24, 31 & 66

Rory LeestartedhisgraphicdesigncareerinhisnativeLondon,England,wherehestudiedtypographyandillustrationattheLondonCollegeofCommunication.AftermovingtoEdmontonfiveyearsago,hehasworkedonamultitudeofprojects,fromeditorialdesigntobrandinginternationalcompaniesandeverythinginbetween.Whenhe’snotonhisMac,hecanbefoundmountainbikingintherivervalley,playingfootball(soccer,ifyouprefer),paintinginhisstudio,ordrinkingcopiousamountsofteawhilelisteningtoElgar.

v8.1 2014 7

EDITOR’S NOTE

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it was a hot summer day whenIfirstreadSpencer Smirl’s(HeavyEquipmentTechnician’07)accountofhis11-monthexpeditiontoAntarctica.Despitetheheat,hisstorymademeshiver,inpartfromimaginingthefrigidtemperaturestheheavyequipmenttechnicianfaced,butmostlyinresponsetotheremotenessandsheerscaleofhisexperienceandtheprideinhiswords(p.38).

WhiletheexpeditiondidnotachieveitsgoalofcrossingAntarctica,theeffortwasasuccessonmanylevels.Hisaccountofsurvivingtheroughseasandlivinginashippingcontaineronthefrozencontinentisafascinatingstoryofourcapacitytostepoutsideourcomfortzoneandfacephysicalandmentalchallengeswithdeterminationandoptimism.

NotmanyofuspushourselvestothelengthsthatSmirlandtheColdestJourneyteamdidbutexamplesoffindingwaystofaceuncertaintyappearthroughoutthisissue.

OfftheAfricancoast,northofwhereSmirlsetsailforAntarctica,Dylan Reade(RadioandTelevision’85)spentseveralmonthsin2012chasinglemursinthejunglesofMadagascarwithacameraonhisshoulder(p.18).Thechancetoseethingsnooneelsehadseenmotivatedhimtowork12-to16-hourdays,sevendaysaweekonthe3DImaxfilmIsland of the Lemurs: Madagascar.

And,whilenobody’sreallycomfortableadministeringfirstaidtoaninjuredperson,knowinghowtoavoidcommonlymademistakesmightmakeyoumoreconfidenttostepupandhelpsomeonewhoisbleedingorevensaveanamputatedfinger(p.24).

ChefLynnCrawfordisknownforherenthusiasminthefieldasmuchassheisknownforherexpertiseinthekitchen(p.53).Herweekspentworkingalongsideculinarystudentsasthe2014HokansonChefinResidence–alongwithherstoriesofpickingorangesandworkingonashrimpboat–challengedstudentstorethinktheirfutureandsetasidetheallureofcelebritytofocusonhardwork,self-relianceanddetermination.

Tohelpmakesureyourfutureisacomfortableone,certifiedfinancialplannerandinstructorHardeepGillhasadviceontoolstohelpplanforyourretirement(p.22).There’smoretoRRSPsandTFSAsthanyoumayhavethought.

Thiswinter,whenit’s-20CinEdmontonandwefacetheuncertaintiesoftheseason,I’llthinkofSpencerSmirl–andhispositiveattitudewhileservicingabulldozerin-74C–andberemindedofwhatwe’recapable.

SherriKrastelEditoreditor@techlifemag.ca

“WHEN IT’S -20 C, I’LL THINK OF

SPENCER SMIRL AND HIS POSITIVE

ATTITUDE.”

8 techlifemag.ca

FOR A LIFETIMEOOK

CELEBRATE ALUMNI SUCCESSNominations are now open for NAIT’s Alumni Recognition Awards!

ALUMNI AWARD OF DISTINCTION Honours alumni who have earned professional prominence and contributed significant service to NAIT or the community.

SPIRIT OF NAIT ALUMNI AWARD Recognizes the remarkable achievements of NAIT alumni within 12 years of graduation.

Do you know a deserving candidate? Submit your nomination by December 31.

The awards will be presented at the Alumni Recognition Awards Ceremony in spring 2015.

FIND OUT MORE: nait.ca/alumniawards

#ookforlife NAIT Alumni

BTECH

The construction industry called for more qualified leaders and NAIT answered. In January 2015, the Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management program will welcome its first group of students to campus. This baccalaureate degree will teach you how to plan, manage and direct large construction projects from start to finish. After graduation, you will immediately add value to your company, the industry and the economy through effective project leadership.

The degree that’s building Alberta

APPLY TODAY | nait.ca/btcm

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

v8.1 2014 9

For more information:Department of Advancement780.471.8800

A bequest is a thoughtful, practical way to make a real impact. It’s a lasting contribution that allows you to give beyond your lifetime.

Bequests to NAIT support students and have enabled hundreds to receive the fi nancial support they need to complete their studies.

YOUR GIFT CANCHANGE THE FUTURE

Charitable Registration Number: 10778 1205 RR0001

Your bequest could:

• establish a student scholarship in your name

• purchase equipment that enables hands-on learning

• fund applied research

A LEADING POLYTECHNICCOMMITTED TO

STUDENT SUCCESS

nait.ca

Looking for workers?Online job postingsReach thousands of great candidates by posting your positions online at no charge. Any full-time, part-time, summer or contract positions related to the programs offered at NAIT are welcome.

nait.ca/employerservices

Looking for work? NAIT students and alumni• tailor your job search• connect with employers on campus• access career search information and tips

nait.ca/studentemploymentGOOD wOrk!

NAIT: WHERE EMPLOYERS

AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES

COME TOGETHER

10 techlifemag.ca

CONNECTIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

nait’s visionistobethemostrelevantandresponsivepost-secondaryinstitutioninCanadaandoneoftheworld’sleadingpolytechnics.WepromisethepeopleofAlbertathatwewillmeettheemergingneedsforpolytechniceducationinourprovince.Todosowemustgrow.Thisincludesexpansionofourcurrentprogramsanddevelopmentofnewprogramsalignedwiththeneedsofourprovince.

WearethrilledtointroducetheBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagement.Industryadvisers,manyofthemNAITalumni,havetoldusthereisastrongneedforadegreeprogramthatcoversallphasesofmanagingconstruction,fromthedesignstagetocompletionofaproject,includingaccountingandbusinessskills.Graduatesofourtwo-yearConstructionEngineeringTechnologydiplomaprogramcanadvanceseamlesslyintothethirdyearofthisnewprogram.

TheprogramstartsinJanuary2015onapart-timebasis,withclassesintheeveningsandonweekendstoaccommodateemployeesinAlberta’sconstructionsector.NAIT’sBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagementwiththetwo-plus-twoformatisafirstforAlberta.Eventually,theprogramwillbeavailableasafull-timeoptionforgraduatesofothertwo-yeardiplomaprograms,includingCivilEngineeringTechnology,ArchitecturalTechnology,andEngineeringDesignandDraftingTechnology.

AT NAITGROWTH

Inadditiontoprogramexpansions,NAITneedstogrowphysically.ThissummerwesignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeCityofEdmontontosetourboundariesontheformermunicipalairportlands.Whilewestillhavealotofworktodo,thisisamajormilestoneinourlong-termplansforcampusconsolidationandourroleintheBlatchfordcommunity.Werecognizetheopportunitiesthislandhasforbuildingastudentresidenceandaredeterminingcostsanddesigns.

ConstructionofourCentreforAppliedTechnologiesisprogressingwell.Atmorethanhalfamillionsquarefeet,thebuildingwillprovideanoutstandinglearningandteachingenvironmentwhenitopensinfall2016.

NAIThasanincrediblefuture–forourstudentsandstaff,ourpartnersinbusinessandindustryandforourprovince.Itisessentialthatouralumniandfriendsjoinusinbuildingthatfuturetogether.

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GlennFeltham,PhDPresidentandCEOglennf@nait.ca

v8.1 2014 11

Sandvik Coromant Academy

Education is an essential key to remaining competitive!Let us share our knowledge on how to modernize the

metal cutting process by updating solutions with the latest in best practices. Sandvik Coromant offers

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Education is an essential key to remaining competitive!Let us share our knowledge on how to modernize the

metal cutting process by updating solutions with the latest in best practices. Sandvik Coromant offers

3 choices for your training convenience.

1. 2. 3.

Visit one of ourProductivity Centers.

We can send our trainers to you.

Our new E-Learningprogramme.

To register for our E-learning program please visithttp://www.metalcuttingknowledge.com

or for more information please contact

us at 1-800-268-0703 or visit www.sandvik.coromant.com.

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BEAUTY FROM A BEASTA classic car returns to its former glory.

v8.1 2014 13

an unremarkableedmonton garageandNewYork’sMuseumofModernArthavesomethingincommon.BothhousewhatlegendaryracerandcardesignerEnzoFerraridescribedas“themostbeautifulcarevermade”:theJaguarE-type.

Untilrecently,theEdmontonversionhardlyfitthedescription.RobertBuchananfoundtheiconic1962automobileonKijijilastfallforwhattheSteamfitter/Pipefitterinstructorwillonlysaywasa“bargainofaprice.”HedrovetoCalgarythatsamedaytopickupthebatteredbodyandaboutathousandofitsseveredentrailsfromaretiredBritishaircraftmechanicwhohadshippedthecarfromLondoninthe1980s.Hehadgutteditthengaveupontheproject.

Restoringthecoupehastaken2,000hours;themajoritywasclockedbyfellowaficionadoRalph Boonstra(IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’73),inwhosegaragetheworkwasdone.Boonstrahandledallthemechanicalandbodywork,includingrepainting,whileBuchanandidtheweldingandpiping.Buchananalsosourcedmissingandunsalvageablepartsincludingasetofrare,pristinedomed-glassheadlightcovershefoundonline.Together,theyhaveownedsevenE-typessincethe1970s.

TheE-typewaslaunchedin1961andproduceduntil1975,butearlymodelslikeBuchanan’sarethemostdesirable,rankingamongstthefasteststreet-legalcarsofthedaywithatopspeedof240kilometresperhour.

Buchananplanstosellthecaronline,targetingtheBritishmarketwhereitcouldfetchasmuchas$100,000.Ifheissuccessful,thebeautifulcarwillreturntoitsformerhomeacrossthesea,thistimeashinygreyratherthantherustyredstateinwhichitleft.

—Blaise van Malsen

Robert Buchanan (left) and Ralph Boonstra (below) have together owned seven Jaguar E-types. They found their latest in Calgary.

TECHNOFILE

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14 techlifemag.ca

RESTORING THE COUPE HAS TAKEN 2,000 HOURS.

THE MATCHMAKERkathleen versteegt’s inabilitytofindacompatibleroommatewastheinspirationbehindtheaward-winningbusinessplanforTyperoom.ca.

“Ididn’tknowwhotorenttoatall,”shesays.Versteegt’ssolutionisnotunlikeadatingwebsite.

Users–thosewitharoomtorentorneedingaplace–createaprofile.Roommatescanbesoughtoutbasedonfactorsrangingfromlocationandtherentthey’rewillingtopay,topersonalitytraitsandlifestyle.

“Forexample,Iliketostayupto3a.m.Iknowtherearesomepeoplewhoareinbedby10p.m.Thatwouldnotworkoutverywell,”shesays.

Versteegt’sroommate-matchingconceptwonfirstplacelastwinterinNAIT’sHatchBusinessPlanCompetition.Shereceived$20,000inseedfundingandofficespacewithinNAIT’sDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation.

Versteegt,athree-timealumna(GraphicCommunications’06,ComputerSystemsTechnology’08,DigitalMediaDesign’10)nowenrolledintheBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementprogram,usedthefundstosetupthebusiness,hireadeveloperandgethelpwithmarketing.

Abetaversionofthewebsiteisexpectedtolaunchbywinterattyperoom.ca.It’sfreetouse–revenueisgeneratedthroughadvertising.

AftertargetingtheEdmontonarea,Versteegtplanstoexpandregionallyandbeyond.Thetimingisgood.Edmonton,alongwithCalgary,hasoneofthetightestrentalmarketsinthecountry,withavacancyrateofaround1.4percent.

“Peoplehavehadissueswithroommatesforever,”shesays.“Hopefully,thiscanhelp.”

—Frank Landry

“ PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ROOMMATES FOREVER. HOPEFULLY, THIS CAN HELP.”

-KATHLEENVERSTEEGT (THREE-TIMEALUMNA) FOUNDER,TYPEROOM.CA

v8.1 2014 15

TECHNOFILE

INDUSTRIAL ARTartist david yowney(IndustrialHeavyEquipmentTechnology’78)hasreturnedtohisroots,takinginspiration–ratherthanthepaychequeheoncedidatanaturalgasprocessingplant–fromAlberta’senergyindustry.Selectionsfromhisrecentcollectionofacrylicpaintings,rangingfromdepictionsofbrightlycolouredoilbarrelstoconceptualpiecesrepresentingourrelationshipwiththeprovince’slargestindustry,willbeexhibitedatLacLaBiche’sStuartMacPhersonPublicLibraryinNovember.

“Iwanttochallengetheviewer’sperceptionoftheCanadian-Albertanindustrialexperience,”YowneywritesinthestatementaccompanyinghisexhibitionCanadian Oil and Us.“ThesepicturesareabouthowwemustmanagetherealityofCanadianindustrialization

throughcooperationandcommunication.”Hebelievesinthepossibilityofabalance

betweenenvironmentalstewardshipandeconomicdevelopment,thanksinparttoanupcominggenerationshowingincreasedinterestincontributingitstalentsandskills.Thiswork,partofacareer’sworthofartthathasbeenpartofmorethan30exhibitionsacrossAlberta,ismeanttoreflectthat.

“It’sasymbolofthewaysocietyisdevelopingtowardindustry,”hesays.

—Scott Messenger

“ THE TEAM EASILY BROKE A COUPLE THOUSAND HOURS COMPLETING THE PROJECT.”

TRENT SCHNEIDER (DMIT ’13)

Web ExtraVisit techlifemag.ca/feathered-dinosaur.htmto see the video of Frank Hadfield’s unique fossil find.

3D WIREFRAME RENDERING

PREHISTORIC PROJECT

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DEAN OF ALL TRADESmalcolm haines’s educationhasbeenunusuallydiverse.ThenewdeanoftheSchoolofTradesfollowedhisUniversityofAlbertapsychologydegreewithtrainingasasheetmetalworker(classof’94)atNAIT.

“Afterdoingnothingbutbookwork[atuniversity],IfoundthatIneededtogetoutanddosomethingwithmyhands,justtokeepmysanity,”saysHaines,whotookonthepermanentroleofdeaninAprilafter10monthsasactingdeanandearlierstintsasaninstructorandassociatechair.

Hainesleadsmorethan350facultyandstaff.Theirbiggestchallengewillbemanaginggrowth,hesays.“Weneedtokeeppacewiththeexpectationsofgovernmentandindustryasfarassupplyingenoughskilledworkers.”Thisyear,theschoolexpectstomatchthe2008all-timehighnumberofapprenticestrained—morethan14,100—apeakitwilllikelysurpassnextyear.

—Marta Gold

BUILDING LEADERSthis january, naitlaunchesAlberta’sfirstBachelorofTechnologyinConstructionManagementprogram.Studentswitharelatedtwo-yeardiplomacanearnadegreewithanadditionaltwoyearsofstudy.Initially,courseswillbeofferedeveningsandweekends,withafull-timeoptiontobeintroduced.Thedegreewascreatedinresponsetoindustrydemandforleadersintheheavyindustrial,commercial,engineeringandconstructionindustries.

— F.L.

frank hadfield hasapassionforbringingtheancientpasttolife.AsownerofDrumheller-basedDinosaurValleyStudios,acompanythatfabricatesmuseumexhibits,Hadfieldisanexperienceddinosaurhunter.

Butevenhecouldn’tbelievehisluckwhenheuncoveredtheWesternHemisphere’sfirstfeathereddinosaur.

Hadfieldwaswalkingonanancientriverbednearhishomein2007whenarockformationcaughthiseye.Ashegotcloser,Hadfieldsawsmallclawsthatappearedtobeconnectedtootherbones,suggestingtheremaybeafossilizedskeletonjustbelowthesurface.“IttookmeafewminutestoreallydigestwhatIwasseeing,”saysHadfield.

Recently,DigitalMediaandIT(DMIT)studentshelpedhimsharewhathesaw:theskeletonofajuvenileOrnithomimus edmontonicus,orostrichdinosaur,aboutthesizeofalargeturkey,withitsfeathersmiraculouslypreserved.Theybroughtittolifeinafive-minutevideocalledtheFirst Feathered Dinosaurs of the Western World.

Thevideo–whichairedonDiscoveryChannel’sDaily PlanetlastApril–includes3Danimationofthejuveniledinosaurandasecondadultspecimen(aboutthesizeofafull-grownostrich)hefoundayearlaterinthesamearea.ThedinosaurslivedintheprehistoricswampsofAlberta73millionyearsago.

MichaelJorgensen,thedigitalcinemainstructorwhoknewHadfieldandwasfamiliarwithhisfind,broughttheprojecttoNAIT.

“Theideawasthatthiswasn’tjustgoingtobejustaclassproject,”saysJorgensen,astoryconsultantforDaily Planet.“Thiswasgoingtobebroadcastandseenbypotentiallymillionsofpeople.”

Thedocumentary’sanimator,Kristin Jacobs(DMIT’13)waschallengedwiththepainstakingprocessofmakingthedinosaursasrealisticaspossible.“OneoftheproblemsIcameacrossisthattheOrnithomimusisnotliketheT-Rex,”Jacobssays.“There’snotalotofreferencematerialoutthere.”

Shelookedatbonemeasurements,studiedthemovementofostrichesandwentsofarastophotographrealostrichfeatherstouseintheanimation.

Trent Schneider(DMIT’13),thedocumentary’sdirector,writerandeditor,andnowdigitalmediacoordinatorfortheEdmontonEskimos,estimatesateamofaboutadozenstudents“easilybrokeacouplethousandhours”completingtheproject.

Hadfieldusesthevideotopromotehiswork.Itcontinuestoremindhimofthesignificanceofhisdiscovery.

“Itreallybroughthometomethatthesewerenotjustsomethingpreservedinrock,”hesays.“Thesewereliving,breathingcreatures.”

—Frank Landry

ESSENTIAL EXPANSIONseven programsessentialtoAlberta’seconomywillexpandoverthenextthreeyears.GrowthinChemicalEngineeringTechnology,CivilEngineeringTechnology,ConstructionEngineeringTechnology,ElectricalEngineeringTechnology,InstrumentationEngineeringTechnology,PetroleumEngineeringTechnologyandWaterandWastewaterTechnicianwillallowforanadditional390students.Theprogramswerechosenbytheprovincialgovernment,whichfundedtheincreasesbasedonindustryandlabourmarketdemand,andstudentenrolment.

—F.L.

CONSTRUCTION ON TRACKConcretepouringslowedduringaDecembercoldsnap,buttheCentreforAppliedTechnologiesremainsontracktoopenforfall2016.Forthelatestimagesandinformation,visittechlifemag.ca/construction.htm.

v8.1 2014 17

SURGERY IN 3Dimagine being inanoperatingroom,astepawayfromapatientundergoingabdominalsurgery.You’rethenurse,reachingforsurgicalinstruments,waitingforcuestohandthemtothesurgeon.You’recompletelyimmersedinthesituation.

Except,you’renotactuallythere.Itjustfeelsasifyouare.

Instead,you’rewatchinga3Dvideo.ProducedasajointprojectofNAITandtheUniversityofAlberta,thismedicalvideousesvirtualimmersiontohelpstudents,patientsandthepubliclearnaboutsurgeryasrealisticallyaspossible.

“Point-of-viewisareallycutting-edgeeducationalapproachrightnow,”saysinstructorDouglasBerquist,whoconnectedseveralDigitalMediaandInformationTechnology(DMIT)studentswithDr.JonathanWhite,asurgeonat

theRoyalAlexandraHospitalandanassociateprofessorwiththeUofA’sfacultyofmedicineanddentistry.“Itgivesyouthissenseofurgencyandprecision.It’sthebestwaytoteach.”

BerquistandDMITstudentswilleditthehours-longabdominalsurgeryfootageintoseveralshortvideosegments.ThevideoswillbepostedtoYouTubethisfallaspartofWhite’spopularSurgery 101 podcast.Theyhopetocreateaseriesofshort3Dvideos,eachfocusingonadifferentoperation.

ThisprojectbuildsonpreviousworkbyDMITstudentsandWhite.Lastyear,theyproducedafunYouTubeseriescalledMuppet Surgerythatfeaturedtwopuppets–Dr.ScalpelandThumbs–teachingoperating-roombasics.WhenBerquistsuggestedshootingthevideosin3D,Whiteagreedsaying,

“Couldweaddanotherlayerofrealism?”

when dylan readewalkedoutofhisfirstImaxmovie,Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,attheEdmontonTelusWorldofScience(thentheEdmontonSpaceScienceCentre)in1984,heturnedtohisdate,agirlhe’dmetintheRadioandTelevisionprogram,andsaid,“I’dliketomakeImaxmovies.Wouldn’tthatbegreat?”

Thirtyyearslater,Reade(RadioandTelevision’85)isacameramanandstereographerwhohasworkedon50Imaxfilms.Often,heistheprincipalcameramanonprojects,includingtherecentlyreleasedIsland of the Lemurs: Madagascar–thefirstImax3Dfilmshotalmostentirelywithadigitalcamera.

“Wespentalotoftimeinthejunglechasinglemurs,”Readerecalls.Hewasawayfornearlythreemonthsin2012,working12-to16-hourdays,sevendaysaweek.“Youcanreallygetrundownbytheendofashootbutformeit’sstillalwaysveryexhilaratingbecauseyou’reseeingthingsnooneelseintheworldhashadachancetoexperience.”

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TECHNOFILE

NAIT IN CHINAnait and heilongjiangUniversityofScienceandTechnology(HUST)thisspringcelebrateda10-yearpartnershipthathasgivenChinesestudentsCanadiancredentialsincomputerskillsincludingprogrammingandnetworking.

In2004,NAITbeganofferingaComputerSystemsTechnologydiplomaattheschoolinHarbin,Edmonton’ssistercityinChina.Sincethen,morethan750studentshavegraduatedfromthejointprogramwithaninternationaleducationthatgivesthemanadvantageintheChineselabourmarket.HUSTfacultymembershavealsobenefitedbycomingtoEdmontontotakecoursesandlearnCanadianteachingtechniques.

TherelationshipboostsNAITaswell,buildingitsinternationalreputation,generatingfundsforprogramsinAlbertaandbroadeningtheskillsofinstructorswhomakethetriptoHarbin.“Youopenuptheinstitutetoglobalperspectives,”saysJimHawrylenko,accountmanagerwiththeDepartmentofCorporate,InternationalandContinuingEducation.

Thispastsummer,theschoolsofficiallyextendedtheirrelationship.NAITwillofferitsDigitalMediaandITdiploma(successorofComputerSystemsTechnology)toHUSTstudentsthroughto2020.

—Scott Messenger

POWDER AND POSSIBILITIESprinted metal partsarebecomingarealityattheNAITShellManufacturingCentrewiththecommissioningofthefirst3DmetalprinterinaWesternCanadianpost-secondaryinstitute.PurchasedwithfundingfromWesternEconomicDiversificationCanada,thetechnologyproduceshighlyintricatepartswithminimalwastebyusinglasersandfinelayersofmetalpowder.Already,oilandgasandmedicalcompaniesareinterestedinusingthemachine.“We’retryingtobringnewpossibilitiestoour

localmanufacturers,”saysNeil Wenger(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’79),electronicstechnologistatthecentre.

—S.M.

Automatedcamerasmountedthroughouttheoperatingroomallowviewerstoseethesurgeryfromtheperspectiveofthesurgeon,thenurse,theintern,orfromtheceiling.

BerquistandWhitearenowlookingintothepossibilityofproducingmore3Deducationalvideos.Theirmainconcerniswhetherenoughviewerswillhaveaccesstothe3Dtechnologythatwillgivethemthefullimmersionexperiencealongwithanewperspectiveonwhatgoesonintheoperatingroom.

“Iwanttogetpeopletolookatsurgeryinadifferentway,”Whitesays.“Insteadofitbeingagorything,knowthatthereisastoryhere:Thisiswhythesurgeondecidestodothis,thisishowtheoperationgetsfinished.

“IjustwantpeopletothinksurgeryisascoolasIthinkitis.”

—Linda Hoang

Reade’scareerhasspannedallsevencontinentsandarangeoftechnologies,too.HehasbeenwithImaxthroughoutthedevelopmentofthe3Dformat,includingitstransitionfromfilmtodigital.

“TheentirearcofmycareerhasbeengettinglighterandlightercamerasasIgetolderandolder,”saysReade,whowenttofilmschoolinTorontoafterNAIT.“ThefirstsystemIworkedwithwas1,400pounds.Thedigitalcamerais45pounds.”

Recently,Readehasbeguntakingonotherprojects,includingstartinghisownproductioncompany,theHighLevelMovingPictureCompany,withwhichhewantstoproduce3DfilmsaboutEdmontonanditshistory.Currently,he’sdevelopingatechniquetoconvertarchivalimagesintomoving3Dimages.Hehopestoexhibithisprojectsatmuseums,artgalleriesandtheatres.

ReadesaysNAITopenedthedoortoaninternshipintheindustry.Italsoconnectedhimtohiswife.

Hemarriedthatgirl–Susan(RadioandTelevision’85),nowgeneralsalesmanageratBellMedia–whosawthatfirstImaxmoviewithhim.Theyhavetwodaughtersandrecentlycelebratedtheir25thanniversary.

“I’msoluckythisallworkedoutthewayIwanteditto.”

—Linda Hoang

“ I’M SO LUCKY THIS ALL WORKED OUT THE WAY I WANTED IT TO.”–DYLANREADE(RADIOANDTELEVISION’85)

v8.1 2014 19

www.nexencnoocltd.com

HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTUREPlanning for the future is important for an oil and gas company to succeed, and that doesn’t only mean looking for the next big discovery. At Nexen, ensuring there are enough qualified people to do the work is just as important and that’s why we’re proud to support post-secondary education in Alberta.

We give back to communities where we operate by investing in programs and projects that enrich the quality of life for those in the community and support educational enhancement.

Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.

www.nexencnoocltd.com

HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTUREPlanning for the future is important for an oil and gas company to succeed, and that doesn’t only mean looking for the next big discovery. At Nexen, ensuring there are enough qualified people to do the work is just as important and that’s why we’re proud to support post-secondary education in Alberta.

We give back to communities where we operate by investing in programs and projects that enrich the quality of life for those in the community and support educational enhancement.

Nexen is a proud partner of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, donating over $1 million to the development of state-of-the-art facilities, awards and bursaries.

3 QUESTIONS

JEREMY WALTER (ArchitecturalTechnology’03)Founder and Principal DesignerBoss Design

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE HOUSING INDUSTRY SINCE THE DOWNTURN? Theclientislookingforimprovedqualityanduniqueideastobeincorporatedintotheirhome.Duringtheheightoftheboomitwasbasicallyslamthingsoutasfastasyoucould,fromthebuildingperspective.

WHAT’S HOT IN TERMS OF DESIGN TRENDS?Therearetwo.Thefirstis“prairie”style,basedonanarchitecturalstylecreatedbyFrankLloydWright.That’sdefinedbyverycleanlines,averysquare,linearlook,reallylowslopeontheroof,wideoverhangsandusesofmaterialsinapanelized[way].Thesecondstylethat’sverypopularisthemodernstyle.[That’s]ablendofflatroofsandmaterialsthat[areused]incommercialapplications.Youseealotofsteel,woodpanelling,metalsiding,lotsofstuccoandbigexpansesofcommercialglass,floortoceiling.

IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY FAMOUS HOME WHICH WOULD IT BE?Fallingwater.ItwasdesignedbyWright[inPennsylvaniain1935].It’scantileveredoverasmallstreamandwaterfall.Hewasdoingthingsthatnooneelseknewhowtodo.Myfavouritethingistotakeoneofhisstylesandrepresentittothebestofourabilitywhilealsoincorporatingnewtechnologies,newmaterialsandnewthinking.

KLINT LANGSTAFF (ArchitecturalTechnology’99)Owner/OperatorLang Built Homes

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY SINCE THE DOWNTURN? Thestructuringofsubdivisionsisalotmoremixeddensity.Alotofthecommunitiesbeingbuiltgofromrowhousingtoapartmentbuildingstosingledetached.Thedevelopersandcommunityhaveacceptedthis.Thisisthewaytopreventurbansprawlandmakepricesalittlemoreattractivetotheentrymarket.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR YOU AS AN OPERATOR?It’sgoingtobegettinglabourandcompetitivepricing.Withthelabourshortagewe’reexperiencing,pricesjustcontinuetogoup.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?Meetingwithclients,comingupwithadesignthatworksforthemandhavingaprojectcompleteandlandscaped–seeingthearchitecturecometogetherandseeingahappyclient.

TREVOR HOOVER (ArchitecturalTechnology’89)President, Senior DesignerHabitat Studio

WHAT DEFINES VALUE IN A NEW HOME THESE DAYS? Forus,thephilosophyisthatdesignisyourmajorvalue.Themajorityofpeople…pickabuilder,afloorplan,anelevation,carpetcolourand,boom,they’redone.Butifyoutalktothosepeople,therewillalwaysbesomethingwrongwiththathouse.Sometimestheycan’texplainit,sometimestheycan:“Oh,wedon’tevenuseourformaldiningroombutitwastheresowelivewithit.”Wemakenocompromises,soeachhousefitsthatclient100percent.

IS THERE A DESIGN ELEMENT YOU DON’T MISS? Thediningroom.Whydoyouneedaformaldiningroom?Myin-lawshave[one].I’veknownthemfor25yearsandI’venevereateninthatdiningroom.It’sapooruseofspace.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY?Rightnowitlooksverypositive.Mytheoryisthatitwilldependonwhathappenswiththeoilindustry.IfwegetthepipelineovertoB.C.andthepipelinedowntoTexas,thatwillchangeourprovincedramatically–wewillbebusy.Whenyou’rehavingtobuildthoseprojectsandproduceenoughoiltogodownthosepipelinesyouneedpeopleandpeoplemeansfamilies,familiesmeanschools,meanssubdivisions,meanshomes.web extra

Visittechlifemag.ca/homebuilders.htmformoreinsightfromourindustryexperts.

judging by howithasralliedsincetheeconomicdownturn,thissummerreachingitshighestlevelofstartsinnearlysevenyears(accordingtoRBC),homebuildingmaybeamongAlberta’smostadaptiveindustries.Withprovincialfortunessocloselyalignedtoavolatilecommoditylikeoil,whatchoicedodesignersandbuildershave?Economicebbandflowisn’ttheonlychallenge:styletrendsfluctuateasmuchasoilprices.Hereweaskthreeexpertsaboutthepast,presentandfutureofAlbertahomesandthebusinessofmakingthem.

— Scott Messenger

HOMING SENSE

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KLINT LANGSTAFF

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ASK AN EXPERT

Hardeep Gill makes sense of the ABCs of retirement savings.

few of us can affordtobecomplacentwhenitcomestopreparingforretirement.We’relivinglongerandmanyofuswon’thaveanemployerpensionthatguaranteesasetretirementincome.

AccordingtoStatisticsCanada,38.4percentofemployeeshadaregisteredpensionplanin2011.Thatmeansit’svitalweplancarefully,whichrequiresunderstandingthedifferentsavingstoolsavailabletous,saysHardeepGill,certifiedfinancialplannerandfinanceinstructor.

“Peopleneedtositdownandthinkoftheirgoals.Ithinkeverythingispredicatedonthat,”saysGill,whoaddsthateventhosewithaguaranteedworkplacepensionmayneedtosaveextramoney.

Gillrecommendsallocating10to15percentofwhatyoumaketowardsyourretirementgoals.Tohelp,therearetwomaininvestmentvehicles:registeredretirementsavingsplans(RRSP)andtax-freesavingsaccounts(TFSA).Statisticsshowthatnotallwhoareeligibleareusingthesetools.Only24percentoftaxfilerscontributedtoanRRSPin2012,accordingtoStatisticsCanada.ThefederalDepartmentofFinancereportedthatin2011morethan30percentofadulttaxfilershadaTFSA.

“TFSAshavekindofmadethingscomplicatedforpeople,”saysGill.Somepeoplemaynotrealizethat,likeRRSPs,theyareacontainerforadiverserangeofinvestmentoptions,heexplains.

Tohelppeoplebetterunderstandtheiroptions,we’veadaptedachartfromPersonal Finance,atextbookbyGillandJeffMadura,thatcomparesthetwosavingstools.

— Shelly Decker

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WHO’S ELIGIBLE

PRIMARY PURPOSE

ANNUAL

CONTRIBUTION LIMIT

UNUSED CONTRIBUTIONS

CARRY FORWARD

TAX-DEDUCTIBLE

CONTRIBUTIONS

TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS

TAXABLE WITHDRAWALS

WITHDRAWN AMOUNTS

CAN BE RE-CONTRIBUTED

PLAN LIFESPAN

Canadian citizens aged 71 or younger who earn money

Retirement income

18 per cent of earned income up to a maximum of $24,270 in 2014. If you participate in an employer-sponsored pension plan, your contribution amount will be adjusted.

Yes, if you didn’t maximize your contributions between 1991 and 2013, you can carry the unused amount forward to 2014.

Yes, the initial investment is tax deductible.

Yes

Yes, it’s considered regular income so you will be subject to income tax.

No, unless part of Home Buyers Plan (HBP) or Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP.) HBP is a tax-free withdrawal option for Canadians wanting to purchase their first home. Money must be repaid within 15 years. LLP is available to full-time students who use RRSP money towards their education. Funds must be paid back within 10 years.

Plan must be transferred to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or cashed in by the end of the year you turn 71. Cashing in may mean significant tax consequences. RRIF holds the same investments as an RRSP but a certain percentage must be withdrawn each year.

Canadian residents aged 18 or older

Short and long-term savings

$5,500 in 2014

Yes, contribution room accumulates each year even if you do not file an income tax return or open an account.

No, you cannot deduct this investment on your tax return.

Yes

No, it’s not considered earned income. You do not have to pay taxes on the initial investment or earnings.

Yes but not until the following year, when the amount is added to the annual available investment room. Don’t risk over-contributing and being penalized.

Account does not terminate

QUALIFIED INVESTMENTS

RRSPsandTFSAsarecontainerstoholdinvestmentsincludingcash,GICs,stocks,bonds,mutualandindexfunds,mortgages,investment-gradebullion,coinsandmore.Diversifyingyourinvestmentsisrecommended.“Diversificationmeansspreadingoutyourmoneygeographicallyandacrossassetcategories,”saysGill.

v8.1 2014 23

in those frantic momentsbeforeanambulancearrives,peopleoftenadministerfirstaidtoaninjuredorillperson.Dotheyreallyknowwhattodo?

Only18percentofCanadianspolledin2012saidtheyhadcurrentfirstaidcertification.

“It’ssoimportantthateveryonehavefirstaidtraining.It’salifeskill,”saysLisaKutzner,coordinatorofNAIT’spre-hospitalcareprogram,whichrecentlybeganofferingfirstaidcoursestothepublic.“Itprovidesalevelofconfidence.Youdon’thavetobeperfectatit.Youdon’twanttobescaredsothatyoudon’tdoit.Youusetheresourcesaroundyoutodothebestyoucan.”

Whileit’sbesttotakeafirstaidcourse,hereKutznercorrectsseveralcommonfirstaidmistakes.

— Shelly Decker

RIGHT THE FIRST TIMEHow to avoid common first aid mistakes. DON'T USE A TOURNIQUET TO STEM

HEAVY BLEEDING.

WHY NOT?That’salastresort.Completelystoppingbloodflowmaycausepermanentdamagetotheinjuredlimb.Correction:Usegauzeandapplypressuredirectlyonornearthewound(don’tpressonanembeddedobject).“Peoplewon’tdiefrommanualpressure,”saysKutzner.“Theydieofableed.”Don’tremoveadressingsoakedinblood–addfreshdressingsontopandapplymorepressure.Oncethebleedinglessens,placeabandageoverexistingdressingsandsecure.Ifit’ssafe,theinjuredpartshouldbeelevatedabovetheheart.

DON'T MOVE PATIENT TO A MORE COMFORTABLE PLACE.

WHY NOT? Movingsomeonewithapossiblespinalinjurycouldleadtoparalysisordeath.Notallbackorneckinjuriesareobvious.Correction:Generally,it’sbestnottomoveapatientuntilemergencyrespondersarrive,saysKutzner.Dosoonlyiftheareaisnotsafe,inaccessibletoemergencyrespondersorifCPRisnecessary.“ApersonneedstobemovedtoahardflatsurfaceforCPR,”saysKutzner.

DON'T PUT AN AMPUTATED FINGER OR TOE DIRECTLY ON ICE.

WHY NOT?Icecanfreezeanddamagethetissue.Correction: Afteryouhavecontrolledthebleeding,theamputatedbodypartshouldbe“wrappedinmoistgauze,placedinanairtightplasticbagandthebagshouldbeplacedonanicepack,”saysKutzner.

HOW TO

24 techlifemag.ca

DON'T PULL OUT AN EMBEDDED OBJECT.

WHY NOT?Youdon’tknowthedepthofpenetrationorextentofinternaldamage.Removingtheobjectcouldcausefurtherinjuryorseverebleeding.Correction:"Theimpaledobjectshouldbestabilizedinthepositionit’sfound,”saysKutzner.Forexample,ifascrewdriverisstuckinaleg,tapearollofgauzeoneithersideofthescrewdriver.Ifapencilisstuckinaneye,punctureaholeinthebottomofapapercup,slideitoverthepencilandtapethecupinplace.Coverbotheyestominimizemovement.

DON'T VIGOROUSLY RUB OR USE HIGH HEAT TO THAW AN EXTREMITY, SUCH AS A HAND, WHEN FROSTBITE IS SUSPECTED.

WHY NOT?Rubbingcanincreasetissuedamage.Avoidusinghighheatbecausetheaffectedareamaybenumbandthepersonmaynotfeeltheareabeingburned.Correction:Removethepersonfromthecold.Cuphandsaroundareaandgentlybreatheonitortuckaffectedareaintoawarmpartofthebody,suchasunderthearm.Iftheaffectedareahurts,seekmedicaltreatment.

Flashlight: forworkinginthedarkorpoorlighting.Includeextrabatteries

Cold pack:forinflammationorswelling

Bottle of water: forcleaningawoundorhydration

Sterile gauze pads:tostopbleeding.Packextra

Gloves and safety glasses:“It’salwaysyoursafetyfirst,”saysKutzner.

First-aid kit essentials

Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends replenishing your first aid kit at least four times a year. Here are a few items to add to your mobile kit:

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INNOVATE

SPARKS WILL FLYKyle Walton has forged a thriving business from the ancient craft of blacksmithing.

STORY BY MARTA GOLD

PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN v8.1 2014 27

INNOVATE

When most of us think of metalwethinkpermanent,solid,structural.

NotKyle Walton(Pre-technology’03).Hethinkspliable,creative,textural.

ThefounderofHammerandForge,Waltonisamodern-dayblacksmithandacreativeentrepreneurwhohaselevatedaonce-utilitariancrafttoanartform,producingbeautiful,architecturalgates,stairrailings,trellisesandmoreforadiscerningclientele.

Whatstartedeightyearsagoasasmallbusinesssellinghousenumbers,hooksandgardenaccessoriesattheSt.AlbertFarmersMarkethasgrownintoanoperationthatwillsoonhavethreeovensandthreestaffinadditiontoWaltonathisshopinnorthwestEdmonton.Hehasenoughworktoallowhimtorefusejobsthatdon’tfithisinterests.“Ifitisn’tarchitecturalordesign-minded,weturnitawaynow,”hesays.

Walton,35,hasalwayshadafascinationwithweldinganddesign.Heboughthisfirstwelderrightafterhighschool,dabbledinmetalfabricationandrenovations,thendidthreeyearsofanartsdegree.Butitwasn’tuntilhestartedtheNAITArchitecturalTechnologyprogramin2002thathisinterestsindesignandbuildingcametogether.

Hetriedworkinginanarchitecturefirmforacoupleyearsbuttheofficeenvironmentwasn’tforhim.Then,in2006,hetookaweekendcoursewithShawnCunningham,whonowteachesblacksmithingatNAIT.

“Itwaslikealightbulbgoingon,”Waltonsaysofhisdiscoveryofforging.HeaskedCunninghamtobuildhimanoven,thenboughtananvilandstartedpracticingonhisown.

“Iknewthiswasit,”hesays.“It’saloveofiron,forsure:aloveoftexturesandloveof

manipulatingthingsthatseemsopermanentintothisplasticstatewhereyoucanjustcreate,”hesays.“It’ssoversatile.”

Railingdetailsbecomebladesofgrassthatappeartobeblowinginthewind;twistingsteelvinesaretoppedwithdelicatemetalflowerstoformastunninggardentrellisinanotherrecentproject.

Thegrowthofhisbusinesshasbeenlargelyword-of-mouth,andincludeshisfarmersmarketclienteleaswellasasmallcustomhomebuilderforwhomWaltondesignsandmakesinteriorstaircases.

“It’sbestdescribedasamodeloforganicorreactivegrowth,”hesays.

Usingpowerhammershasincreasedhisspeedandefficiencyandkeptcostsincheck,hesays.Butthedelicatedetailthathasbecomehistrademark–andthatmakeseachpieceunique–isstillatime-consumingcraftdoneonlywithhammerandanvil.

Agatewithafewsimpledetailsstartsatabout$1,500.Anelaboratestaircaseofglass,woodandironcanruntensofthousandsofdollars.“Whenyou’regoingtospend$30,000or$40,000onasetofstairsandrailings,itshouldbethenicestthinginthehouse,”Waltonsays.

Hestillsellssmall,affordableitemsatthefarmersmarket.Manycustomersstartwiththeseand,astheygettoknowhim,hirehimtodesignsomethingmoreintricate,hesays.

Inthefuture,he’dlikeexploreabstractsculpture.Inthemeantime,hereareafewofhisfavouritecreations.

Kyle Walton at his northwest Edmonton

blacksmith shop

INNOVATE

28 techlifemag.ca

5 Awoodenbridgeandstairsaresupportedbyforgedsteeltexturedandknottedtoresemblebundlesofsticks.

4 ThisforgedirontrellisdecoratesthebrickentryoftheRosenthaldevelopmentinEdmonton’swestend.

3 Thebacksideofthisgardengateshowsacopperturtleswimminginaseaofironwavespowdercoatedtolooklikecopperpatina.

2 Adecorativesunfloweradornstheexteriormantleofanindoor-outdoorfireplace.

1 Asecond-floordeckrailingusesforgedirontoreplicatebladesofgrassblowinginthewind.

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v8.1 2014 29

THANK YOU TOURNAMENT SPONSORS! Your support is essential to the academic and athletic excellence of NAIT’s student athletes.

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS | 780.471.6248 | nait.ca

CATFISH COFFEE ROASTERS INC. | THE FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE

SORRENTINO’S RESTAURANT GROUP | SUPREME GROUP | SYSCO EDMONTON

nait golf tournament sponsored by

corporate and international trainingcontinuing education

THANK YOU TOURNAMENT SPONSORS! Your support is essential to the academic and athletic excellence of NAIT’s student athletes.

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS | 780.471.6248 | nait.ca

CATFISH COFFEE ROASTERS INC. | THE FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE

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nait golf tournament sponsored by

corporate and international trainingcontinuing education

BR I N G O N T H ESTORY BY MIFI PURVIS

PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RORY LEE

MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCEHOW THREE ALUMNI ARE USHERING IN A NEW ECONOMIC ERA

BY MAKING IT IN ALBERTA.

v8.1 2014 31

INNOVATE

iNNOVATE

A SANDBOX FOR INDUSTRYSince it opened in 2006, the NAIT Shell Manufacturing Centre has improved Alberta’s business processes. “It’s been a theme in our cyclic economy that during a boom it might not matter how efficiently a company works because of high customer demand,” says operations manager Mave Dhariwal. “But once there’s a downturn they face stiff global competition and can’t compete.”

He aims to counter that theme. He and his team train more than 500 employees from 50 to 60 companies each month. The centre provides 13 customizable certificate programs in productivity enhancement services, as well as streams including project management, quality management, lean manufacturing and more.

The centre also offers manufacturing solutions. “It’s basically a sandbox for industry,” Dhariwal says. Using the facilities and equipment that are kept current by an evergreen fund, industry reps conduct applied research in rapid prototyping, robotics and automation, software solutions and more. Students get involved as well, using the centre to collaborate with industry on capstone projects.

Dhariwal says that industry partners and the federal and provincial governments helped with the centre’s startup funds. “Now the centre is 100-per-cent self-funded for its operational costs, including salaries and maintenance,” he says. “It’s important because we must lead by example.”

“OUR WORKFORCE IS VERY SKILLED AND HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE”–JOHNROSE CHIEFECONOMIST CITYOFEDMONTON

When he deliveredastateoftheeconomytalkatNAITinFebruary,CityofEdmontonchiefeconomistJohnRosetoldmembersof

thepolytechnic’sprogramadvisorycommitteesthatAlbertais“undergoingamanufacturingrenaissance.”WiththehighcostofmaintainingaworkforceandoutfittingashopinEdmonton,hisclaimmightsurprisesomepeoplebutprobablynothisaudiencethatday.NAITalumniareleadersinmanufacturingandthetrendgoesbeyondtheoilandgasindustry.ItturnsoutthatAlbertans,Edmontoniansinparticular,aremakingmorestuffthanever.

ThestatsbolsterRose’sassertion.ManufacturingaccountedforEdmonton’ssecond-largestemploymentgainsbysectorin2012-13.Andmanufacturingandbusinessservicesaccountfor18percentoftheprovincialGDP,upfrom12percenttwodecadesago.Rosesaysmuchofthismanufacturingisgearedtoenergybutit’snottheonlygameintown.Infact,StatisticsCanadafoundlastyearthat36percentofAlberta’s10,000manufacturerswerenotengagedinenergy-sectormanufacturing.

Rosesaysthatlocalmanufacturingcanmeanahigherper-unitcostcomparedtoimportingmass-producedgoodsfromoverseas.Butitoffersamorepredictablesupplyandeasieraccesstolocalinstallation,maintenanceandsupport,decreasingwaittimesanddowntime.Initialsavingsrealizedbyimportingdiminishquicklyand,thoughAlberta’slabourcostsarehigh,Rosesays,“ourworkforceisveryskilledandhighlyproductive.”

ProductivityAlberta’sCEOLoriSchmidtagrees.“Labourproductivitymetricshaveimproved,”shesays.Schmidthasavestedinterestinkeepingthemanufacturingmixdiverse:herorganizationhelpstheprovince’sconstructionandmanufacturingbusinessesbecomemoreproductiveandcompetitive.

“NAIThasaroletoplaytobringleading-edgebestpracticestomanufacturers,toencouragethehands-onmethod,”sheadds.

HerearethreeNAITalumniemployingthatmethodintheEdmontonarea,inwhatisturningouttobeaneraofmanufacturingrenewalinthecapital.

32 techlifemag.ca

SOUND PLANSat adsum audio’s SherwoodParkmanufacturingfacility,

“assemblyiseveryone’sjob,”sayscompanyPresidentandCEOJames Osualdini(above).Evenhislawyerknowshowtoputtogetherhisproducts:hand-craftedhigh-qualityspeakersforthehomemarket.Whilethelawyerrarelyrollsuphissleeves,it’simportanttoOsualdinithathehasagoodunderstandingoftheproduct.“Everyonegetstoseethequalityofcomponents,fitandfinish,”hesays.Adsum,withjustsixemployees,competeswithmass-producedsoundsystems,“byofferinginnovativeandbest-in-classproducts,”Osualdinisays.

Osualdini(ElectronicsEngineeringTechnology’11)knewhecouldimproveoncommonlow-qualityiPodspeakerswithoutcreatingmassive,marriage-wrecking,audiophileones.Hissignatureproduct,theDetonator,isasmart-lookingcubeofhighlypolishedwood,toppedbyapaintedwoodenorcarbon-fibre-wrappedtube,

givingitthelookofanold-timeexplosivedevice.Nobiggerthanasmallstackofpaperbacks,itlooksmoreobjetd’artthanspeaker,“butit’sasound-firstproduct,”Osualdinisays.

HisAlbertabaseoffersOsualdiniaccesstoskilledstaffbuthesourceshispartsfromallovertheworld.

“Wearen’tbiasedastowherepartscomefrombutweexpectthebest,”hesays.Findingthatlevelofqualitycanbeachallenge,andhiswishlistincludesmorelocalsuppliers.He’sworkingonexpandingsalesoutsideCanada,hopingthatincreasedvolumewillencouragealocalsupplychain.“Itwouldhelpusbyreducingthecostofshippingpartsandpayingduties,”hesays.“Also,itwouldhelpusmakechangesquicker,atreducedcost.”Inthebiggerpicture,alocalsupplychainandalocalmanufacturercouldhelpcreateabuddingindustry–aswellasagreatlisteningexperience.

v8.1 2014 33

INNOVATE

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEmccoy globalhas had a presenceinEdmontonsinceblacksmithHenryMcCoyopenedhisshopin1914.Nowitmakesandmarketsproductsandservicesfortheworld’soilandgasindustry.In2013,McCoyboastedrevenuesinexcessof$110million,anincreaseofeightpercentoverthepreviousyear,throughitslineoflocallybuiltoilfieldtoolsandequipment.

Butit’snotalldownholestuff.In2013,McCoysoldthe1,000thunitofitsWINCATTsoftwaresystem,whichhaditsgenesisin1994withcustomers’requeststomoreeasilymonitoraspectsofdrillingandgathermoreaccuratedatausingaWindows-basedplatform.

“Skilledlabourisinhighdemandbutthisisagoodplacetobeamanufacturer,”sayspresidentandCEOJim Rakievich(below,HeavyDutyMechanic’82).

“We’vefiguredouthowtobegloballycompetitive.”Thathasmeantadoptingleanmanufacturingpracticestocutwaste,becomemoreefficientandaddvalueforthecustomer.Productivityimprovementisoneofthebroaderchangesthathehasseeninlocalmanufacturing,alongwithimprovedoutsourcing,automationandsupplychainmanagement.

RakievichsaysmanufacturinggainsstartinschoolslikeNAIT.“Studentsarelearningtobringproductivityimprovementtotheirroles,”hesays,addingthatcompanieslikehisaretheultimatebeneficiaries.Infact,agroupofBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentscompletedtheircapstoneprojectin2012byredevelopingamanufacturingspaceforMcCoy,loweringcostsandincreasingproductivity.

“WE’VE FIGURED OUT HOW TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.”

– JIMRAKIEVICH PRESIDENTANDCEO MCCOYGLOBAL

34 techlifemag.ca

“IT WAS LIKE A BULLET IN THE STOMACH. SO WE WENT TO PLAN B.”–ROBERTOSGAMBARO DIRECTOR SGAMBARO’SSIGNATURE SEAFOODS

HOLY SMOKESroberto sgambaro(above,CommercialCooking’86)isoneofroughly1,000professionalsinCanadawiththechefdecuisinedesignation.That’snotable,butwhatsetshimapartisthathe’sdirectorofSgambaro’sSignatureSeafoods,anEdmontonmanufacturingfacilityproducinglox–freshsmokedsalmon–morethan1,000kilometresfromthenearestcoastline.

HelearnedcookingathomeinEdmontonfromhismom,whohadhisdad’sfreshgardeningredientstoworkwith.AfterhegraduatedfromNAIThelandedajobattheEdmontonConventionCentreunderchefReudiBlattler.Eagerforresponsibilityandcreativecontrol,SgambaroaskedBlattleroneday,“WhatdoIdotowindupinyourshoes?”Blattleradvisedhimtogetred-sealcertifiedandtravel,soSgambarobeefeduphiscredentialsanddividedthenextsevenyearsbetweenToronto,MontrealandParis.

“IlearnedhowtomakesmokedsalmoninMontrealattheHotelVogue,”Sgambarosays.Butheknewhecouldimproveit,sohedidsomeR&DathisnextjobattheIntercontinentalHotel,tweakinghistechniqueuntilitwasperfect.

SgambaroreturnedtoEdmontonin1996tobeclosertofamilyandenjoyabetterstandardofliving.Hewasusedtoworkingdemandinghours,soontopofhisdayjobhestartedacateringbusinessontheside:finediningforsmallgroups.OneclientwantedsomesmokedsalmonandSgambaroofferedtohome-smokeit.“Ibuiltalittlesmoker,”hesays.Itcouldcopewithninesidesofsalmonatatime,buthighdemandquickly

meantanupgrade.Soonhewasprocessing15sides,then56,then88,then300.

Sgambaro’ssalesclimbedandhedecidedtotakehisbusinesstothenextstep.HeworkedwithTECEdmontononabusinessplantoenterintotheVenturePrizecompetition,whichhewonin2005.Alongwiththeglorycame$100,000incashandin-kinddevelopmentservices.Sgambarowantedtobuildalarger,federallyinspectedfacilitysuitedtoexports.Heboughtland,createddesignsforthefacilitythenbulkeduphisbusinessplanandtookittothebank,whichrefusedhisloanapplication,callingittoobigastep.

“Itwaslikeabulletinthestomach,”hesays.“SowewenttoPlanB.”

PlanBmeantupgradinghisequipmentandmoremodestexpansionintoaleasedspaceinnortheastEdmonton,whereheemploysfivepeopleparttime,plusademopersonandadeliverydriver.Saleshavetripledtoabout1,000kilogramsofsmokedsalmonpermonth,andhisonlinebusinessisgrowing.Healsosellspâté,mustards,finevinegar,salmonsausageandfreshsalmon.

ForSgambaro,Edmontonremainsagoodplacetobeamanufacturer.Inadditiontoastronglocalcustomerbase,therearegovernmentprogramsandgrantsavailabletotheAlbertaagricultureindustryand–whilehedoesn’tgrowfish–hisstatusasafoodprocessormakeshimeligible.Sgambaro’sconfidentthathe’sworkinghiswaytothefacilitythatwillallowhimtobecomeanexporter.Whenthatdaycomes,hepromisestosavesomeproductforthehometowncrowd.

v8.1 2014 35

Solutions for Human Progress.

® The DOW Diamond Logo is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company © 2014

Dow Canada – offering local employment with global opportunities.

At Dow, we provide challenges that exercise your imagination and help you deliver solutions to improve the lives of people around the corner and across the world.

We invite you to bring your passion, your skills and your creativity and come write your own success story with Dow. Learn more about our

Solutions at Dow.

visitwww.careersatdow.com

184,000 STRONG what’s an ook for life?Ifyou’reaNAITgrad,it’syouandroughly184,000others.Whileyouallshareaconnectiontothatsnowyowlmascot,asagroupyou’reasdiverseastheprogrammingatyouralmamater.

Lastfall,wereachedoutwithasurveytogettoknowyoubetterandgaugethestrengthofyourconnectiontoNAIT–whetherthat’sawarenessofourcurrentimpact,involvementwithinstituteactivities,ordirectsupport.Itturnsoutthatbirdsofafeatherreallydosticktogether.

Thesurveyshowedyou’remoreengagedwithusthantheaveragegraduateofCanadianpost-secondaryinstitutes.

“Peoplehaveprideintheinstituteandtheyhadanexcellentacademicexperience,”saysMikeMeldrum,associatevice-presidentofAdvancement,wholooksforwardtoseeingthatpridegrowincomingyears.“TheirtimeatNAITgotthemajobandoftenstartedtheircareers.”

HereareafewthingswelearnedaboutourlifetimeOoks.

—Scott Messenger

CREDENTIALS

LOCATION

AGE (IN RELATION TO GRADUATION YEAR)

2004-2013

18-24years 25-29years 30-39years 40-49years 50-60years 60+years

HOW THE SURVEY WAS TAKEN

DESKTOP TABLET MOBILE

Certificate 17%

Apprenticeship 11%

Degree (firstoffered2007) 4%

Applied Degree (firstoffered1996) 3%

TOP 5 PROGRAM AREAS

5% Students

6% Retired/working part-time

4% Other

Other: 1% stay-at-home caregivers, 3% not working but looking

%7%22

%71

WORK STATUS

WORKING

%85MALE:FEMALE (IN RELATION TO AGE)

18-24yearsold

25-29yearsold

30-39yearsold

40-49yearsold

50-60yearsold

60+yearsold

MALE FEMALE

51%49%

86%14%

70%30%

65%35%

63%37%

51%49%

1994-2003

1984-1993-

1974-1983

1973andbefore

DIPLOMA

%73

19% elsewhereinCanada

BuildingConstruction&Design

Health&Safety

IT&Electronics

Apprentice/Trade

Business/Administrative

3% outsideCanada

19% <10km

46% 10-50km

6% 51-100km

6% 101-250km

EDMONTON

PEOPLE

Solutions for Human Progress.

® The DOW Diamond Logo is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company © 2014

Dow Canada – offering local employment with global opportunities.

At Dow, we provide challenges that exercise your imagination and help you deliver solutions to improve the lives of people around the corner and across the world.

We invite you to bring your passion, your skills and your creativity and come write your own success story with Dow. Learn more about our

Solutions at Dow.

visitwww.careersatdow.com

v8.1 2014 37

38 techlifemag.ca

PEOPLE • COVER STORY

38 techlifemag.ca

A heavy duty mechanic spent 11 months in Antarctica and lived to tell the tale.

STORY AND PHOTOS (TAKEN AND SUPPLIED) BY SPENCER SMIRL (HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN ’07)

Spencer Smirl at

the EDGE of the WORLD

v8.1 2014 39 v8.1 2014 39

40 techlifemag.ca

1 Start Point

2 actual end Point

3 South Pole

4 Planned End Point

land

Ice shelf

—— Planned Route

—— actual Journey

80°S

70°S

0°

180°

90°W 90°E

2

4

3

1

PEOPLE

Our attempt to crossAntarcticawastobethefirstinpolarwinter.Ourroutewasalmost4,100kilometresandrosemorethan3,100metresabovesealevel.Temperaturescouldreach

-90C,withwindchillsof-150C,morethancoldenoughtoicetheliferightoutofus.Thisiswhyweneededsteel-trackedvehicles:rubbercannotbeguaranteedbelow-50C.Andthosevehicleswerethereasontheexpeditionneededme.

TheColdestJourney,asitwasnamedbythefamousexplorersSirRanulfFiennesandDr.MikeStroud,whoholdbraggingrightsasthefirstmentocrosstheAntarcticunsupported,beganinJanuary2013.Itwasalsounsupported,haulingsupplieswithoutlocalassistancetoconductscientificresearchandraisemoneyforSeeingisBelieving,acharitythathelpscombatpreventableblindnessintheworld’spoorestcommunities.Ourconvoyincluded190tonsofcargo,muchofitfuel,andtwo25-tonbulldozersprovidedbyCaterpillarandFinningontheconditionthattheircarebeentrustedtotwooftheirowntechnicians.AFinningheavyequipmenttechnicianoriginallyfromPeaceRiver,Iappliedand,afterweeksofcompetitivetraining,waschosenaschiefmechanic,responsibleformaintenanceandoperationofallmechanicaldevicesontheexpedition.

IfyouhadtoldmeanopportunityliketheColdestJourneywouldcometoatradesmanworkinginnorthernAlberta,Iwouldhavedoubtedyoursanity.Evenwitheightyears’experienceasamechanic,Iwasn’tcompletelyconfident–atleastnotenoughtostaredowndeathattheotherendoftheworld.Fiveothermen’sliveswouldrelyonmyabilities.ButIknewchanceslikethisonlycomearoundonceinalifetime,ifthat.

WesetsailfromCapeTown,SouthAfrica,onJan.7,2013ontheicebreakerSAAgulhas.Afterthreeweeksonroughseas,finallyseeingthemassivemonolithoficethatconsumedthehorizonremainsoneofmyfavoriteexperiencesfromtheexpedition.Ihadneverfeltsoalive.Whenweswungdowntheropeladderandtookthosefirststepsontotheice,Ifeltlikeoneofthefirstmenonthemoon.

Afterafewweeksofunloadingandprep,wewereoff.Weclawedacrosstheiceandupthroughthemountains.Aswemovedfurthersouththedaysgotshorter,temperaturesdroppedandthewindpickedup.Theairthinnedaswegainedaltitude,makingithardtofunction–forusandthemachines.AswenearedtheedgeoftheAntarcticPlateau–thecoldestplaceonEarth–thesunsetforthelasttime.Itwouldn’treturnfornearly100days,forcingthetemperaturesevenlower.

Forweekswebattledourwayacrossblueicelakesandcrevassefields.AsyoutravelthroughAntarctica,thelandscapesurroundsandconsumesyou–andresistsyou,too.YouarethesolesourceofhumandisturbanceinanuntouchedpartoftheworldbutMotherEarthsooncompletelyerasesanytraceofyourexistence.It’sapowerfulkindof

beauty.Thecrevasseseventuallyoutgrewthelengthofthebulldozer,stretchingmetresacrossandpossiblyreachingmorethantwoandahalfkilometresdowntosealevel.Fallingintoonewouldmeancertaindeath.

Intheend,navigatingacrossdifficultterraintookitstoll.OnApril17,fourmonthsafterourarrival,wecalledahalttotheexpedition.We’dtravelledlessthan400kilometres,notevenatenthofourgoal(thoughwe’dachieved95percentofourexpectedaltitude).Wewereheartbrokenbutourextensiverepairandrecoveryfromthecrevassingwasburningthroughresources.Wewouldrunoutoffuelbeforereachingtheothersideofthecontinent.

Forthenextfourmonths,wehibernatedontheplateau,conductingscienceexperimentsonavarietyofsubjectsforinstitutesfromaroundtheworld,includinganinvestigationforNASAintotheeffectsofsolitudeandisolationonthehumanspirit.Noneofourresearchwassacrificedbystopping.InSeptember,whenitwastimetobeginourjourneyhome,ittookalmosttwoweekstofreeourequipmentfromthe

clutchesofawinterthathadnearlyburiedus.Itwasahugerelieftomewhenthebulldozersroaredbacktolifeandsafelytransportedusthe120kilometrestotheairstripattheBelgianresearchstationfromwhereweflewhome.

TheColdestJourneychallengedmeateveryturn,mentallyandphysically,asitdideverymemberoftheteam.Shortlyaftertheshipleftusontheice,Icanrecalloptimisminourbeamingsmiles.Astheexpeditionprogressed,however,therewerefewersmiles.Sanityinsuchsituationsispushedtothebreakingpoint.Friendshipsfail,communicationbreaksdownandmoraleisarollercoaster.Someteammembersarenotasfriendlynowwitheachotheraswhenwesetoff.Someofus,however,havebecomefriendsforlife.

SomewouldsaytheColdestJourneyfailed.Initspursuitofafirst-everwintercrossingandworldrecord,Iseetheirpoint.Butwhen

IlookatthescientificdatawecollectedandthenearlyUS$3millionweraisedforSeeingisBelieving,Iviewitasahugesuccess.Ifeelfortunatetohavebeenpartofit,growingandchangingasaresult.IreallyenjoymyjobasaheavyequipmenttechniciananditwasamazingtohavetheopportunitytotestmyselfinAntarctica.Also,myskillsasawriter,myabilitytoaddresscrowdsandtheconfidenceneededtopushmyselftosucceedarelifeskillsItookawayfromtheexperiencethatwillalwaysstaywithme.

InmyapplicationessaytoFiennes,IsaidIwantedtojointheteamtorepresentmycompany,mycountryandmyfamily.Althoughwedidn’tsuccessfullyachievethecrossing,wedidprovethatwithgreatdesignandpreparationgreatthingsarepossible.IworemyCanadianflag–asdidmybulldozer–withprideandIfeelIgavemyfamilysomethingtobeproudof.

Here’salookbackatmytimeonthecontinent.

v8.1 2014 41 v8.1 2014 41

his royal highness,thePrinceofWales,hasbeenapatrontoseveralofSirRanulfFiennes’sexpeditions–includingtheColdestJourney.AfterweloadedtheicebreakerSAAgulhas,wesaileduptheRiverThamesandunderTowerBridge.PrinceCharlescameonboardduringabanquettowishusgoodluck.I’vemetafewproathletesandevenmoviestarsbutwhenImettheprinceIwastrulystar-struck.Itcouldhavebeenthesecretservicestandingguard,orthehourofetiquettetrainingwereceivedbeforethemeeting,orjustbecausemymotherissuchahugefan.

the voyage fromSouthAfricatoAntarcticawasunforgettable.Enginetroublehadusbobbingstationaryfornearlytwodays.Afterrepairs,weenteredtheRoaringForties,aregionoftheSouthernHemisphererenownedforitsviolentseas.Evenfivestoreysup,thewavesstillreachedusaswewatchedequipmentstrappedtothedeckdipbeloweachwavebeforeeruptinginashowerofblackwater.Two-thirdsintothetripweencounteredthefirsticebergs;thefloatingmountainsoficeseemedtocalmtheseas.WiththemcameAntarcticsealife.Whales,sealsandpenguinsallseemedascuriousaboutusaswewereaboutthem.

we arrived atCrownBay,AntarcticaonJan.18,2013.Fortunately,wehadperfectblueskies,near0Candnotabreathofwindduringunloading.ThesunwouldnotsetuntilthethirdweekinFebruaryand,becauseofthereflectivesurfaceoftheice,itwaslikeworkinginagianttanningbed.(Ididn’tevenknowtheymadeSPF100sunscreen.)Assoonasthehatchesabovewereclear,thetwobulldozers–51tonscombined–wereliftedoutontotheice.SeeingabrandnewmodelD6NCatbulldozerwithmynamestencilledonthedoor,hangingfromthatcraneandshiningbrightlyinthesun,isoneofmyfavoriteimagesfromouradventure.

PEOPLE

42 techlifemag.ca

although we hadground-penetratingradartoassesstheconsistencyoftheicebelow,itwasn’talwaysperfect.WehadtowinchDykes’sbulldozerfromninecrevasses.Eventhoughourwinchingequipmentwaswellwithinweightcapacities,theforcesinvolvedandthereducedtractionmaderecoverydifficultanddangerous.BothDykesandIgrewupplayingwith4x4sinthemudbutthatdidn’tprepareusfortherecoveriesweaccomplishedinAntarctica.

the blue caboosestowedbyeachofthebulldozerswereourshelterandworkspace.BehindmyCat(left)aretwo16-metreshippingcontainerscombinedside-by-sideandmountedonasteelsledgewithskis.Thiswaswherewelived.Insideweresixbunks,alargediningtable,afull-servicekitchenwithamicrowaveandbreadmaker,apantryforfreshfood,andabathroom,whichevenhadastand-upshower.Wewerehardlyroughingit.

Atoneendofitwasaroomthathousedasmalldieselgenerator,abankofbatteriestorunoursystemsatnightwhenthegeneratorwasoff,anda700-litremelttanktosupplyallourfreshwater.

Behindtheotherbulldozerwasthesciencecaboose.Itwasasinglecontainersplittohouseourmedicallaboratoryatoneendandourmaintenanceworkshopattheother.

all the mechanical systemsprovedtobeextremelyresilientintheextremeconditions.AlongwiththeotherFinningtechnician,RichmondDykesfromCookstown,NorthernIreland,Ihadveryfewrepairstodo.Thereisalwaysroutinemaintenance,someofwhichcanbefairlyextensive.

v8.1 2014 43 v8.1 2014 43

the northern lights,auroraborealis,areasightmanynorthernersfrequentlyenjoy.IhaveseentheminPeaceRiver,AlbertasobrighttheyrivalalmosteverydisplaywewitnessedinAntarctica.TheSouthernLights,auroraaustralis,arerarelyseenbecausetheyonlyoccurintheAntarcticwinterwhenthereareveryfewpeoplethere.Wewereveryfortunatetocaptureimagesofgreenauroradancingagainstthisdarkbluehorizon,whichIhaveneverwitnessedinthenorth.

after our researchontheAntarcticPlateau,webroughtthetwobulldozersbackonlineforourtripbackintothemountainsandontocatchourplanehome.DykesandIhadtocompletethisfinalserviceat-44Cwithawindchillof-72Candvisibilitylessthantwometres.Thiswasthemosttryingserviceofmycareer.AsimplejobthatwouldtakeonetechmaybethreehourspermachineundernormalcircumstancestookDykesandI10hourspermachine.I’llnevercomplainaboutchangingoilat-30Cagain.

when the plane arrivedtotakeushomeonNov.26,2013(I’mintheforeground,welderandgeneraltradescontractorIanPrickettisinthebackground),afteralmostaweekofweatherdelay,thereweremixedemotionsaboutleaving.Ononehand,youmisssomanythingsfromhome:family,friends,trees,grass,everything.Ontheother,youknowhowrareachanceitistoseethebeautyoftheAntarcticlandscapefirsthand.WhenIlookbacknowonmyadventure,ImissitasmuchnowasImissedhomewhileIwasthere.

SHOW YOUR NAIT PRIDERetail Services’ wide assortment of

NAIT-imprinted products gives you many

ways to keep the pride alive. From accessories

to comfy leisure wear, we’ve got a selection

that will delight.

WE MAKE SHOPPING EASYVisit the NAIT Bookstore Room X114, Main Campus Phone: 780.491.3104 Email: mailorders@nait.caOnline: onlinestore.nait.ca

A LEADING POLYTECHNIC COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NAIT HONORARY DEGREENAIT’s most prestigious award, the Honorary Degree, is presented at Convocation ceremonies each Spring. The award recognizes community leaders with significant contributions in areas that align with NAIT’s four program pillars: business; health; trades; and science, technology and the environment.

If you know a worthy recipient, make your nomination by December 31. Find out more at nait.ca/awards or 780.471.8800.

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44 techlifemag.ca

Julie Matthews, Global TV’s

former Troubleshooter, has

left television. Slipping behind

the scenes, however, may only

enhance her strength as one

of Alberta’s most dedicated

consumer crusaders.

STORY BY SCOTT MESSENGER

PHOTOS BY BLAISE VAN MALSEN

LOOKING FOR

v8.1 2014 45

PEOPLE

Julie matthews’s career is in trouble.The38-year-oldhasspentmostofherworkinglifesortingthroughitandsortingitout.Troublehaspaidherbills.Itstilldoes,butdifferently.Goneare

thebrightlights,thetelevisioncameras,themail(evenflowers)fromgratefulfansforbeingtoughyetcompassionate,tirelessandfearless.Ofcourse,thatwastheglamoroussideofherdecadeastheGlobalTVTroubleshooter,goingonairalmostnightlytohelpconsumerssettledifferenceswithbusinessestheybelievedhaddonethemwrong.Therewasalsofrustration,considerableovertimeandadelugeofdistressedphonecallsandemails.Nowthat’sallgone,too.

Earlierthisyear,inhernewofficeatServiceAlberta’sdowntownEdmontonconsumerinvestigationunit,troubleremainsbutitdoesn’tsetthephonetoanear-relentlessbuzz.Heremailpingsinfrequently.Ifthere’sacameraanywhere,it’sdesignedforsecurityratherthanthe6o’clocknewscast.Theshelvesaboveherdeskarestackedwithwhitebindersfatwithlegalese–theactsshe’llenforceinhernewroleasaninvestigatorandpeaceofficer.

Ifthisseemsanunusualnextstepinthecareerofamediapersonality–manyofwhommoveontofreelanceorconsultingworkortoPRroles–itisn’t,inthiscase,illogical.

“WhenIstartedIwasareporter.WhenIleftIwasaninvestigator,”saysMatthews(RadioandTelevision’95)ofhertimeasTroubleshooter.

“WhenIcameinhere,”sheadds,“Ifeltathome.”Thedayshewalkedintotheofficeofthisprovincialgovernmentministry,shefeltasifshe’djoinedasquadoftroubleshooters,bringingtoitauniquebackgroundandskillsetthatmayhelptheunitadvanceitseffortstoprotectconsumers–effortsthatin2013-14recovered$560,000forAlbertansanddealt$146,000infinestounscrupulousbusinesses.

ThechangemeansmoretoMatthewsthanjustbeingamongherownkind.She’sgottwoyoungboyswhowillnowhavethepleasureofamomwhocanmaketimetocometoschoolevents.Balancedwiththat,shemightnowbeabletobettersatisfyherdrivetosetthingstorightsbylayingcharges.TheTroubleshooterrole,shesays,“wasabigpartofmyidentity”–soingrainedthatunresolvedcaseshaunthertothisday.Troubledidn’talwaysstopwithMatthewsbefore.Nowitcan.

matthews didn’t get to this pointinhercareerbyseekingtrouble;itfoundher.

“I’dlovetotellyouthatitwasmylifelongdreamtobeTroubleshooterandrightthewrongs,”shesays.“Maybeinanindirectwaythatispartofwhatappealedtomeaboutthatjob.”

SomemoralimperativemayhaveindeedpushedherbecauseasTimSpelliscy,whohiredherforthejob10yearsago,says,“It’sthetypeofrolewhereyouneedsomeonewho’skeentodoit.”Theworkloadissointensethatthejobburnedthroughfivereportersinthe10yearsbeforeMatthews.“Youcan’ttalksomebodyintothatjob,”addsGlobal’sEdmontonstationmanagerandregionaldirectorfornews.

Matthewswasdefinitelyinterested,mostlysoshecouldcomehome.ShewasintheOkanaganatthetimebutgrewupinaBruderheimhouseholdwhere“thenewswasoneverysinglenight,”sherecalls.

“Inthemorningwewereshushedaroundthebreakfasttablebecausetheradiowasonandthenewswasabouttostart.”Workingatthestationshegrewupwith(GlobalwasITVatthetime)wasadreamcometrue–onesherealizedafterstopsatstationsinLloydminster,LethbridgethenPenticton,whereshehonedanabilitytodeliverasaone-woman(pluscameraman)shop.ForSpelliscy,herB.C.stintrepresentedapotentiallyreliable,self-directedreporter.ForMatthews,itopenedthedoortobeingreunitedwithafiancébackhome.

46 techlifemag.ca

PEOPLE

Thoughshetookthejob,itmadehernervous.“Atthetime,Ididn’treallythinkofmyselfasapitbull,”shesays.“Iwasn’tsureIwasastoughastheTroubleshooterneededtobe.

“Thatkindofjobputsyouinapositionwhereyou’redealingwithalotofpeoplewhoarenothappytoseeyou.Basically,you’retakingonthemostconfrontationaljobinmedia.”(NoonetookaswingatherashappenedwithmaleTroubleshooters,shesays,butshedidreceiveatleastonedeaththreat.)

Nevertheless,shemadeitherown,Spelliscysays.“Shebecamemoreeffectiveandstrongerinthatroleastimewenton.”Matthewsfieldedroughly30,000callsandemailsandconductedmorethan275investigationsannually.Byherlastthreeyearsonthejob,shewasrecoveringmorethan$100,000ayear.Butitcamewithacost.

“Ibecamealmostaddictedtoit,”saysMatthews.Shewasdoingtwo-orthree-minutespots(moststoriesgetroughlyaminute)asoftenasfournightsaweek.Shewasrespondingtocomplaintswhenshewasathomeandduringhercommute.“Mypersonalityjustbecameaworkaholic.Itriedtohelpeveryone,eventhoughitwascompletelyimpossible.”

Lookingback,SpelliscyisamazedMatthewsstayedwiththejobforadecadewithoutburningout.“Inaway,Julieisavictimofherownsuccessbecausethebiggerstoriesandthehigherprofilejustledtomorephonecalls,moreemailsandmorepeoplesaying,‘Canyouhelpme?’”

most of matthews’s casescamefromAlbertansfeelingcheatedbymovingcompanies,insurers,usedcardealersandhomebuilders.Onereasonforthehighnumberofcomplaints,particularlyinthelastcategory,suggestsPhilPerry,isthatconsumersaretootrusting.

“Mostpeoplewanttoseegoodinpeople,”saystheConstructionEngineeringTechnologyinstructor.

InAlberta,thatapproachdoesn’talwaysendwellforacoupleofreasons.Perry,whoaspresidentoftwocondoboardshashadmixedexperienceswithbuildingcontractors,pointstotheboomingeconomyandtheskilled-labourvacuumitcreates.“Alotofguysaremigratingintothecommercialmarket,”hesays.“Asaresult,there’salotofpeopleenteringtheresidentialmarketwhodon’thavetheskillsets.There’smoreworkouttherethantherearecontractorsabletodoit.”

MartinRoy,thedirectorofServiceAlberta’sconsumerinvestigationunitwhohiredMatthews,islessgenerousinhisassessment.“We’rea

‘have’provinceanditbringsindividuals…whotrytotakeadvantageofthesituation.”

Inrecentyears,hisgroupof20investigatorsacrosstheprovincehasbeengrowingmoreproactive.Ratherthansimplyrespondingtocomplaints,theunitalsotargetsproblematicindustries.Inspring2013,forexample,heworkedwithMatthewstoteleviseaServiceAlberta

“baithouse”projectaimedathomeinspectorsoperatingwithoutalicence.Itwasoneofseveralconnectionshe’dmadewiththe

THE WORKLOAD IS SO INTENSE THAT THE JOB BURNED THROUGH FIVE REPORTERS IN 10 YEARS BEFORE MATTHEWS.

Web ExtraConstructionEngineeringTechnologyinstructorPhilPerryexplainshowtomanagerelationshipswith

contractorsattechlifemag.ca/home-renovations-contractors.htm.

Left and centre, as a peace officer, Julie Matthews can now lay charges following an investigation of a consumer complaint; above, the Global TV crew gave her this portrait as a going-away gift.

v8.1 2014 47

ThattenacityisonereasonSpelliscywillrememberherasoneofhismosteffectiveTroubleshooters.It’salsowhyunresolvedcaseshaunther,includingoneinwhicha90-year-oldwomanpaid$3,000toamovingcompanytorelocateher69-year-oldblindson.Itneverdidandneverrefundedthemoney.“Theyignoredthewoman,ignoredherfamilyandtheyignoredme,”saysMatthews,whowasneverabletorecoupthecost.

“Istillthinkabouther.”Often,however,Matthewscouldachievemuchwithacameraand

persistence.Sometimes,theresultswereimmediate.“Insomecases,”shesays,“we’retalking$50,000chequeswerereturned.”Ifshewasinsomewayaddictedtothejob–tothebrightlights,thecamera,thethrillofthehunt,theaccolades–sheadmitsitisahardhabittobreak.

“Ihadtofigureout,‘Hey,amIreadytowalkawayfromwhatsomepeoplewouldsayisbeingsomeone,beingacelebrity?’”Morethanthat,sheworried,“WouldIbeabletostillmakeadifferenceandfeelthatlevelofpersonalsatisfaction?”

Thinkingbackonthatmovingcompany,shebelievesshecould.“MaybenowImayormaynotbeabletomakethemgivehermoneybackbutImaybeabletochargethem.Imaybeabletoholdthemaccountable.”

Today,she’sreadytomoveon,afirstfileonherdesk,alandlord-tenantdisputeoveradamagedeposit.She’sstillholdingontomemoriesofthose10yearsinthespotlightbutshehasputthemliterallybehindher.AportraitofheratherdeskatGlobal–agoing-awaygift–leansagainstthewallatherback,waitingtobehung.Toherleftisanotherportrait,onedonebyheryoungestsonforMother’sDaythatshowshisunderstandingofwhatmomdoesforalivingnow.

“Hedrewapictureofmelookinglikeacrossbetweenasuperheroandapoliceofficer,”shesays.“Hehassaidtome,‘Mommy,I’msadI’mnotgoingtoseeyouonTVanymore.’

“Isaid,‘I’msorry.Butyou’regoingtoseememoreinpersonnow.’”

from julie matthews

g Geteverythinginwriting.Verbalpromisesaretoughtoprove.

g Researchcompaniescarefullybeforehiring–evensearchGoogleforcomplaints.

g Takephotosasproof.Photographyourodometerwhenyoudropyourvehicleoffforrepairs,theconditionofyourrentalapartmentwhenyoumoveout,andyourrentalcarwhenyoureturnit.

g Beforeleavingonvacation,checkyourinsurancepolicy.Someonemayhavetocheckyourhomeevery24to72hoursforittobecovered.

g Readthefineprintbeforesigninganything.

g Onlydoor-to-doorcontractorswithaprepaidcontractor’slicencewithServiceAlbertacantakedepositsfromyouinyourhome.

g Topwarningsignsofanonlinescam:thepersonaskingformoneyclaimstobelivingorworkingoverseas;theydon’tacceptcreditcardsorchequesandinsistyouwiremoney;theyuseheartbreakingstoriestotrytowinyouover.

consumer protection tips

reporteroverrecentyears,asMatthewswouldfrequentlyconsulttheorganizationduringherinvestigationsandevenearnedawardsfromitforherefforts.Goingforward,though,baitingisn’tanoperationheseessuitedtoher.

“Julie,givenherhighprofile,wouldnotbemyfirstchoicetobeutilizedasanoperatortoconductundercoverstings,”saysRoy.Instead,he’llrelyonherexperiencetohelpidentifynewtargets.Andthoughhestressesshewasn’thiredforherlocalcelebritystatus,heintendstoleanalittleonherestablishedpublicpersona.

“TheaverageAlbertandoesn’tknowthatweexist,”hesays.Matthews’scomfortwithanaudiencecouldhelpspreadthewordabouttheconsumerinvestigationsunitatconferences,seniors’centresandonlinethroughsocialmedia.“That’ssomethingIwanttoworktowards:elevatingtheprofileofourunit,”hesays.

“WewanttogetthemessageouttoAlbertanstotrytohelpthembeforetheybecomeavictimofanunscrupulousbusiness.IthinkhavingJulieaspartoftheteamisastepintherightdirection.”

among matthews’s professional strengths,andperhapsoneofthereasonssheultimatelyhadtoleavemedia,isanunwillingnesstoletgo.InNovember2013,adensefogsettledoverHighway21,causing40collisions.Thereporterhappenedtobeinitandrealizeditwasuptohertocapturethestory–despitehavingapreviouslybrokenfoot.(Matthewsloveshighheelsandhadcaughtoneinanelevatordoortrack,leadingtotheinjury.)

“Theresheis,walkingcast,crutches,inthefog,doingastoryusingheriPhone,”recallsSpelliscy.“AndthefootagewasoneofthemostincrediblestoriesIhadeverseen.”

Whenshecouldn’tjugglecameraandcrutches,shehoppeddowntheroad,safetytakingabackseattothestory.“AllIcanhear–andI’llneverforgetit–isthisterriblesoundofcrashingbehindme,”shesays.Regardless,shewouldn’tlettheopportunitytosharethestorygetaway.

48 techlifemag.ca

PEOPLE

Let us take you places!At WorleyParsonsCord the future is bright. Come grow with Alberta’s leading field construction, module fabrication and assembly company. Find your place on our team.

www.worleyparsonscord.com

NAIT 2014_Tech Life_Full page_June.indd 1 26/06/2014 6:10:31 PM

Describe your job in a nutshell.

BradKennedy:Mostpeopleseearchitectsaspeoplewhodrawanddesignunique-lookingspacesandbuildings.Ihavealwaysbelievedthatit’smuchbeyondthat.Everystorythatwetellinvolvesphysicalelements–somethingwewalkedby,aspacewewerein,therestaurant,whowewerewith,whattheenvironmentwaslike.Ithinkarchitectshaveauniqueprivilegeofdesigningandcreatingthebackdropsforthestoriesofpeople’slives.

How did you come up with the design of the Pearl?

Thepropertywaszonedforwhatwecalledalay-downchestfreezer:11storeystall,asquareblockwithalotofdensity.Wetippedituptobeastand-upfridge–exactlythesamemassbut24storeystallinsteadof11.Whilethatopenedupanopportunitynexttoittodoapocketpark,itwasstillthismassivebuildinganditdidn’thavewhatwecallsculpturalquality.

Soweturnedthatstand-upfridgeintoanactualblockofclayandsculptedittocreatemoreofafootballshape.Thatallowedourbuildingtobecomeskinnier,whichpreservedviewsfortheneighboringcondosandallowedmorelighttopassthroughfromthesouthsideontoJasperAve.ItalsocreatedalargerparkareanextdoorsothatwecouldhaveanopengreenspaceonJasper,whichyoudon’thavealotof.Wetriedtocreateabuildingthathasiconicpresence.

What were some of the challenges with this project?

Wehadtoworkthrougharezoningprocessthatwaslongandextensive,aswellasworkwiththecommunityandplanningdepartment.Afterthat,wehadtoturnaverydetaileddesigndevelopmentandconstructiondrawingsetintoarealitythatwaseconomicallybuildable.Mostfloorshave20or30corners,sothere’salotofundulation,whichdoesn’tmakeitcheap.

as one ofedmonton’smosttalked-aboutresidentialprojects–certainlythemostvisible–thePearl(right)reacheshighabovethewesternedgeofdowntown,providingunobstructedviewsofthecity.PrincipalarchitectBrad Kennedy(ArchitecturalTechnology’86)comparesridingtheelevatortoascendingtheEmpireStateBuilding“onanEdmontonscale.”

“At12,15floors,allthebuildingsaroundyoustop.Andonceyouhit20,30,36youareabletolookallthewayaroundandthere’sno

URBAN PEARLBrad Kennedy takes luxury to new heights.

There are buildings from the 1960s and ’70s at that end of Jasper and then you have this uber-modern high rise. How did you reconcile that?

Therewasnoattempttotryandbeliketheotherbuildingsbutwedidn’tnecessarilytrytocompete.Theyareapartofthefabric[ofthecity]andatonepointtheywerethelatestandgreatest.Nowthereisanewyoungerbrotherthatisenjoyingthatfocus–justforamoment.

Favorite features of the building?

Thecurtain-wallglazingsystemandthemetalpaneladdanewdynamictothebuilding.Ithinkthat’sunique.Also,weneverpredictedthatthebuildingcouldbeviewedfromtheQuesnellBridge,fromtheEdmontonInternationalAirport,fromAnthonyHendayDriveonthewestside,fromtherefineriesontheeastside.Itisanunbelievablenewmarker.

What is the Pearl’s contribution to Edmonton architecture?

IhopethatasthestoryofthePearlistold,there’salotofreflectiononhowitpreservedviewsforitsneighbours,allowedsunlightontoJasperAvenue,andcreatedapocketparknextdoor.Ihopethataspeoplelookbacktheyseeabuildingthathadalotofthoughtfuldesignandusedmaterialsthatraisedthebar.Often,residentialcondosarecreatedastallboxesbuiltforthesolepurposeofhangingbalconies.

neighbour.”ThetallestresidentialbuildinginEdmonton,thePearlprovidescondoownersonthetopfloorswithanunrivalledbird’s-eyeviewoftherivervalleyandbeyondtoallcornersofthecity.

KennedybecamepartofBrinsmeadKennedyArchitecture11yearsagoandhasbeendesigningbuildingsinEdmontonsincethe1990s.Here,heshareshisviewsontheroleofanarchitectandexplainshowablockofclayhelpedshapethe36-storeymetalandglassluxurytower,scheduledtobecompletelaterthisyear.

—Sherri Krastel

50 techlifemag.ca

PEOPLE

“ THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO TRY AND BE LIKE THE OTHER BUILDINGS.”-BRADKENNEDY,PRINCIPAL,BRINSMEADKENNEDYARCHITECTURE

PH

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v8.1 2014 51

LESSONS FROM A BUTCHER’S DAUGHTERAs one of the industry’s most grounded celebrity chefs, Hokanson Chef in Residence Lynn Crawford brings student aspirations down to earth and within reach.

STORY BY MARTA GOLD

PHOTOS BY NAIT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

CULINAIT

Student Illyana Black gets one-on-one instruction with Chef Lynn Crawford

v8.1 2014 53

Sohasflappingaroundaduckfarm(“They’redirtyandtheysmellreallybad”),workingonashrimpboat(“Wewerepullingup15,000poundsofthoselittlebabyshrimpandthey’resosweet,itwaslikecandy”),andfishingforcrabandcrawfishinLouisiana(“Youtieaturkeylegontotheendofastringandyouthrowitintothebayouandhopethealligatorsdon’teatit”).

Crawford’swildtaleswereawindowintoanotherworldfortheseaspiringchefs,manyofwhomhavelikelyneverdugapotatofromanEdmontongardenletalonepickedanorangefreshoffthetreeorworkedonafishingboat.Herunderlyingmessage,however,appliesasmuchtothebackyardasthebayou.“Don’tscratchthesurface.Reallyknowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom,”shesays.

as crawford works her way aroundtheroomonthatfirstday,sheaskseachstudentwhatheorsheaspirestobe.Theanswersareasvariedasthestudentsthemselves,whorangeinagefrom18toalmost50.Onewantstobeafoodtruckoperator,anotherhopestoworkinahotelkitcheninsomeexoticlocale.Oneyoungmansayshisgoalis“tobefamous.”

Forstudentswithaspirationsofcelebrity,spendingtimewiththelikesofCrawfordcanbeagreatrealitycheck,saysPerryMichetti,associatedeanoftheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArts.“Hearinghowhardsheworkedtogettowheresheis,and

Culinary studentsmighthavebeenbeenexpectingcelebritychefLynnCrawfordtoplythemwithtalesofcookingfor,andeatingwith,therichandfamousduring

herweekasNAIT’sHokansonChefinResidencelastMarch.Instead,theygotalessoninrespect,humilityandthevalue

ofhardwork.WhilemostknowCrawfordbestasaFoodNetworkCanada

starandcookbookauthor,theinsightsshesharedwerelessaboutthebrightlightsofculinaryfamethanaboutthesatisfactionofgettingdownanddirtyonthefarm.

ThatethoswasattheheartofCrawford’spopularFoodNetworkshowPitchin’ In,forwhichshespentfouryearstravellingNorthAmerica,workingalongsidethosewhoproduceourfoodand,intheprocess,gaininganewappreciationfortheliteralbreadandbutterofhervocation.

“Haveyoueverpickedorangesbefore?”sheasksthedozensofculinarystudentsgatheredaroundherinthedemonstrationkitchen.“It’sahootbutit’shardwork,andI’veneverlookedatanorangethesamewayagain.It’saboutrespectingproduct.Anorangeissonotanorange.”

Anunderstandingandregardforingredientsandwheretheycomefromis“ahugepartoftheintegrityofafinechef,”saysCrawford.“Ithascompletelychangedmeasachef.”

Miniature zucchini cake with fresh orange purée

“I’VE NEVER LOOKED AT AN

ORANGE THE SAME WAY.”

-LYNNCRAWFORD,2014HOKANSONCHEFINRESIDENCE

CULINAIT From left, students Brandy McIsaac, Spencer Berge, Chef Lynn Crawford, Lanaya Hooper and Tung Nguyen in the NAIT culinary lab

54 techlifemag.ca

seeinghowmuchshevaluesteamworkinthekitchen,it’sagreatlessonforthem,”headds.

WhileCrawfordknowsathingortwoaboutbeingfamous–she’soneofthecountry’stopchefsandarguablyitsmostrecognizablefemalechef–thatwasnothergoalwhenshestarted.

Thebutcher’sdaughterwhogrewupinthesuburbsofTorontosaysshehad“noaspirationsotherthanbeingtheverybest”whenshedecidedtoattendculinaryschool.“Ifyouhadsaidtome20yearsagothatIwouldbeexecutivechefattheFourSeasonsinNewYorkCity,thatIwouldbeontelevisionshowsairingaroundtheworld,Iwouldhavesaid,‘No.Ineverthoughtaboutthosethings.’”

Whenoneofthestudents,awomanwhosaysshewillturn50beforeshegraduatesfromNAIT’sculinaryprogram,asksher,“Didyoueverthink,‘Ican’tdoit?’”Crawford’sanswercomeswithouthesitation.“No.Notonce.”

Crawfordstartedoutwithplanstobeanurse,afterherfathersufferedaheartattackwhenshewas18.“Believeitornot,I’maverycaringperson,”shesays.“Iwantedtohelppeople.”Butnursingschoolwasnotforher,norwasfinearts,thepathshetriednext.Instead,shedecidedtopursueherpassionforfoodandwineinculinaryschoolatToronto’sGeorgeBrownCollege.

HOKANSON CHEF IN RESIDENCEThisuniqueprogramprovidesstudentsintheSchoolofHospitalityandCulinaryArtswitharareopportunitytolearnfromthebestchefsintheworld.Theprogram–theresultofagenerousdonationfromJohnandSusanHokanson–beganwithCanadiancelebritychefRobFeenie(2009),followedbyDavidAdjey(2010),SusurLee(2011),MassimoCapra(2012)andChrisCosentino(2013).

Savoury crème brûlée with smoked trout and pickled red onion

From left, Katie Oberst, Julia Hogendoorn, Chef Lynn Crawford, Miranda Maione and Selina Asuncion

v8.1 2014 55

Fearingshewasgettingalatestartbecauseshewasalreadyinherearly20s,sheworkeddouble-timetocatchup,gorgingonknowledge,practiceandexperience.ShewenttoschoolduringthedayandworkedovernightattheDeltaChelseaHotel,learningtopainstakinglysegmentgrapefruit,tobakefreshcroissants,tomakeeventhesimplesttasksperfectandextraordinary.

“Knowledgeisstrength,”shetellsthestudents.“Submergeyourselfintheculinaryworld.”

the advice resonateswithstudentJulia Hogendoorn(CulinaryArts’14),21,whoadmitsshe“freakedout”and“mayhavescreamed”whenshefoundoutCrawfordwouldbetheChefinResidenceforHogendoorn’sfinalterm.

“Sheseemstocareaboutwhatfoodmeanstopeopleasopposedtojustbeingaskillfulchef,”saysHogendoorn,whohopestoownherownrestaurantsomeday,justasCrawforddoeswithRubyWatchcoinToronto.“Itmakesyoulovewhatyou’redoinginstantaneouslywhenyouseesomebodylikethat,wholovesfoodsomuch.”

Hogendoorn’splanisnottoskyrockettocelebritybuttoslogitoutinkitchensandlearnasmuchasshecan.She’salreadyworkedinfastfoodandonapeachfarminOntarioforthesummer.Now,afterimpressingCrawfordduringthechef’stimeatNAIT,she’sthrilledtohavelandedanentry-leveljobasacookatRubyWatchco.

“Peoplesaytheywanttobeafamouschef,butI’dratherjustbethebestIcanbeandhelpothersalongtheway.”

ForstudentKariMarchand,a43-year-oldmotheroftwoteenagerswhoisnowpreparingforacareerinthefoodworld,Crawfordwasaninspiration–asenthusiastic,down-to-earthandhard-workingasMarchandhadimaginedhertobe.

“ShewasverymuchwhatyouseeonTV.”

Marchand,whoisnowinherfinalsemester,saysCrawfordencouragedstudentstobebold,bothintheirwillingnesstotrynewfoodcombinationsandinknockingondoorsinpursuitofopportunity.

“Shesaidtolookinthemirroreverydayandthinkhowyoucouldimprove,becausenoteveryday’sgoingtobeyourbestday.Thatreallystuckwithme.”

HogendoornsaysherexperiencewithCrawfordhasgivenherconfidence,bothinherownleadershipskillsandherabilityasachef.DuringCrawford’stimeatNAIT,Hogendoorn,MarchandandsomeoftheirclassmatesgotthechancetoworkalongsideCrawfordpreparingmeals.

“ItfeltreallynaturalbutitwasalsoadifferentexperiencethanI’vehadbefore,withamentorrightbesideyou,workingjustashardasyou,”saysHogendoorn.

for crawford, too,thetimespentpreparingspecialmealswiththestudentswasahighlightofherweek,shesays.“Toseetheirfacesandthatsenseofaccomplishmentandprideandsharedexcitement…Ilovethat,Ido.”

Crawford’sfocusonself-reliance,hardworkanddeterminationoverflashandcelebritygavestudentslikeHogendoornanewmeasureofconfidence,andarespectforthemselvesandtheirowngoals.

“I’vealwaysbeenabigbelieverthatyouarewhatyoumakeofyourself,andthat’swhatshewashugeon,”saysHogendoorn.“Shemademerealizethattheonlythingstandinginyourwayisyourselfsayingyoucan’tdoit.Sheisproofthatifyoustrivefortheverybest,thenit’sgoingtoallfallintoplace.”

Web extraVisittechlifemag.ca/hokanson-lunch-2014.htmforatasteofthemarqueeculinaryeventstudentshelpedCrawfordstageduringhertimeasHokansonChefinResidence.

LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT LYNN CRAWFORD

Shecomesfromalonglineofbutchers,

includinghergrandfather,father,uncleandaunt.

Shehasasweettooth.HerfavouritechocolatebarsareSkorandCrunchie.

Shelovespickles;herchocolatelabis

namedCharliePickles.

Herfavouritejunkfoodispopcorn.

Inherveryearlydays,sheworkedatagreasyspooncalledtheHomesteader,wherethecooktoldhertothrowahamburgerinthe

deepfryer.“Isaid,‘Butthere’sagrillrighthere!’Andhesaid,‘It’sfastertojustthrowitinthefryer.’”* * * * * *

56 techlifemag.ca

CULINAIT

SALMON CEVICHE250 g (8 oz.) skinless salmon fillet,

cut into 1-cm (1/2-inch) cubes

Zest and juice of 2 limes

5 ml (1 tsp) finely grated fresh horseradish

1 bunch chives, thinly sliced

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil

Salt and pepper

250 ml (1 cup) pea greens

2 radishes, julienned

LIME-MARINATED BEETS6 small red beets, greens removed

4 sprigs thyme

60 ml (1/4 cup) kosher salt

60 ml (1/4 cup) sherry vinegar

30 ml (2 tbsp) sugar

Zest and juice of 1 lime

60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil

Salt and pepper

HORSERADISH LIME SOUR CREAM75 ml (1/3 cup) sour cream

10 ml (2 tsp) finely grated fresh horseradish

15 ml (1 tbsp) finely chopped chives

15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice

Salt

Inalargebowl,combinethesalmon,limezestandjuice,horseradish,chives,jalapeño

andoliveoil.Seasonwellwithsaltandpepper.Coverandrefrigeratefor1to2hours.

Meanwhile,makethelime-marinatedbeets.Inasaucepan,combinethebeets,thyme,

koshersalt,vinegarandsugar.Coverwithwaterandbringtoaboil,thenreduceheat

andsimmeruncovereduntilthebeetsarefork-tender,about1hour.Drainthebeetsand

runundercoldwater.Slipofftheskin.Drythebeetsandcutinto5-mm(1/4-inch)dice.

Transfertoabowl.Tosswiththelimezestandjuiceandoliveoil;seasonwellwithsalt

andpepper.Coverandletmarinateintherefrigeratoruntilreadytoserve.

Nowmakethehorseradishlimesourcream.Inasmallbowl,mixalloftheingredients

togetherandseasonwell.

Toserve,spoonthesalmonontothecentreof4saladplates.Placesomemarinatedbeets

ontopofthesalmon.Spoonadollopofthehorseradishsourcreamontop.Garnishwith

peagreensandjuliennedradishes.

SALMON CEVICHE WITH LIME-MARINATED BEETS

FROM LYNN CRAWFORD’S PITCHIN’ IN SERVES4

[ RECIPE ]

INGREDIENTS METHOD

v8.1 2014 57

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past several locked doorsanddownanarrowconcretestairwell,pipessnakeoverheadandalongthewallsoftheservicetunnelsinthebasementofNAIT’sMaincampus.There’sthesoundofwatergushingthroughpipesandthehumoffanbelts.Theair,smellingslightlyofdampconcrete,iscoolorwarminturndependingonthetunnelanditsfunction.

This840-metre-longwebofservicetunnels,mostdatingtothe1960s,isresponsibleforkeepingmuchofMaincampusrunning,supplyingeverythingwestof106Street–fromthebusinesstowertotheathleticsfacilitiestothecarpentryshops–withvitalservices.Alongwithnaturalgas,thetunnelstransmitsteamforheatingandchilledwaterfortheairconditioningrequiredinmostbuildingswheneveroutsidetemperaturesriseabove12C.Theycarryhotandcoldwaterfordomesticuse,housetwohigh-pressureaircompressorsforautomotive,carpentryandotherlabs,andsomeoftheelectricityneededtopowerthecampus,saysSteve Reid(inset,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’11,Electrician’96,Air

ConditioningEngineeringTechnology’87)maintenanceandoperationsmanageratthetimeofwriting.ThetunnelsalsohouseEthernetcablesandtheold,pre-voice-over-Internettelephonesystem.

Havingtheseservicesintunnelsmakesthemeasiertoaccessandmaintainthanrunningthemintheground,saysReid.Whilerepairsarefrequentlyrequiredfortheagingequipment,therealchallengeisfittingtheworkintothesummerwhenclassesaren’tinsessionandstaffcanturnsomeoftheutilitiesoff,headds.

Accesstothetunnelsisrestrictedtofacilitiesandmaintenancestaff,althoughstudents,undersupervision,usethemforlearninginconstruction,engineeringandbuildingsystemsprograms.Reidheadedintothetunnelsasastudentinthe1980s.

“Itwasfantastic.You’reactuallyseeingintherealworldwhatthelecturesaretryingtoteachyouandwhatyou’retryingtosimulateinalab.Ittellsthestudentthat,yes,thereisarealapplicationforwhatyou’relearning.”

— Marta Gold and Fiona BenslerPH

OTO

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Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CAREERs AT sHELL sKILLED TRADEs AND TECHNOLOGIsTs

At Shell, we understand that great ideas can change the world and we are developing all kinds of innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for energy. Operating in Canada since 1911, Shell has been recognized as a Top 100 Employer for 14 consecutive years, named one of Canada’s top diversity employers, and is recognized as an industry leader in sustainable development and safety.

Whatever your role at Shell, as part of a diverse, international network comprising some of the finest minds in the business, you’ll be helping to power people’s lives around the world for generations to come.

To learn more about career opportunities and to apply, visit www.shell.ca/jobs.

Let’s deliver better energy solutions together.

Scan to learn about life at Shell.

5 WAYS

GET INVOLVEDWITH NAIT

Give, connect and recognize success.

give a gift mentor stay connected get social celebrate

1 2 3 4 5

CelebrateachievementsbynominatinganalumforanAlumniRecognitionAward,honorarydegreeorDistinguishedFriendoftheInstituteAward.NominationscloseDec.31,2014.Downloadanominationformatnait.ca/alumniawards ornait.ca/awards.

Helpincreasestudents’accesstoscholarshipsandbursaries,up-to-dateequipmentandfacilities,enhancedprogramming,andathrivingcampuslife.Makeyourdonationatnait.ca/donate.

Shareyourexperiencewithaprospectivestudent.NAITislookingforalumnivolunteerstoassistwithcareerinvestigationsinavarietyofprograms,includingConstructionEngineeringTechnology,ElectricalEngineeringTechnologyandOccupationalHealthandSafety.Formoreinformationvisitnait.ca/volunteer.

Ouralumnirelationsprogramisgrowing!Shareyourcurrentemailaddresswithustoensureyoureceiveaninvitationtooneofournewevents.Updateyourcontactinformationatnait.ca/alumniconnectionoremailalumni@nait.ca.

Jointheconversationonoursocialchannels.Entercontests,makeconnectionsandgetthelatestalumninewsbyconnectingwithusvianait.ca/socialalumni. We’reonFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInandInstagram!#ookforlife

Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CAREERs AT sHELL sKILLED TRADEs AND TECHNOLOGIsTs

At Shell, we understand that great ideas can change the world and we are developing all kinds of innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for energy. Operating in Canada since 1911, Shell has been recognized as a Top 100 Employer for 14 consecutive years, named one of Canada’s top diversity employers, and is recognized as an industry leader in sustainable development and safety.

Whatever your role at Shell, as part of a diverse, international network comprising some of the finest minds in the business, you’ll be helping to power people’s lives around the world for generations to come.

To learn more about career opportunities and to apply, visit www.shell.ca/jobs.

Let’s deliver better energy solutions together.

Scan to learn about life at Shell.

v8.1 2014 61

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRAINING PROGRAMOne size doesn’t fit all when it comes to employee training. Tell us your needs and we’ll create a program that meets them.

• Business & Leadership• Trades• IT Training• Aboriginal Initiatives• Engineering

Technologies

• Telecommunications• Environmental

Management• Health & Safety• International Training

NAIT Corporate and International Training 780.471.6248 | nait.ca/cit

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Essential to professional development and lifelong learning

nait.ca/ConEd

62 techlifemag.ca

1:52 PM

my job is to plan and execute the right projectattherighttime.I’membeddedintheteamsIworkwith–anywherefromfiveto80people.Idon’tprovidethesolutionsbutIknoweverylittlethingthat’sgoingon.Mycorefunction?Removeblockers,driveimpact.

there is no change controlatFacebook–justchange.Somyjobisalsotomakesuretheriskisappropriateandthattherightstuffgetsdoneasfastaspossible.Iterate,iterate.Keepmakingchanges.It’sthroughfailurethatyougetbetter.

there is little i can talk about thatIhaveworkedonbecausemostofit’sasecret.

two years at facebookislikesix,sevenyearsanywhereelse.Iaccomplishmoreinamonththansomepeopledoinsix.Thepaceissuperhigh.Icallitthehardestjobyou’lleverlove.Ihadaprobleminthefirstyeartransitioning.Youlearnhowtobalance.It’ssomeaningful,it’snotwork.Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.

the real reason that it’s hardisthatyourbrainissotickledandyou’resoengagedcerebrally–howdoyoudisengagefromwork?

by technical program managerBurhan Syed’saccount,Facebooksoundsalittlelikeaworkingvacation.AtitsSanFranciscoBayareacampus,avaletcanparkyourcar,there’sfreefoodandcoffee,andmeetingscanbepassedwhilestrollingapromenadeorcirclingapleasantmarsh.AllFacebookasksinreturnisthatits7,200employeesservethecompany’s1.3billionmonthlyusersbybeingmoreproductivethanever.Ninetofivedoesn’texist;email,versussocial,isthenewsnailmail;anditerationisprogress–deploynow,fixlater.

Thissummer,Syed(ComputerEngineeringTechnology’97),a41-year-oldfatheroffive,visitedNAITtoexplainhowfortwo-and-a-halfyearshehasledprojectsvitaltoFacebook’sevolution,andwhyhecan’timaginedoinganythingelse.As told to Scott Messenger

about

salary: us$100,000-200,000 hours: approx. 50 hours/week location: san francisco bay area training: project management, network/hardware engineering and design, communications, data management

web extraVisittechlifemag.ca/facebook.htmformoreaboutBurhanSyed’slifeatFacebook,includingfacetimewithChairmanandCEOMarkZuckerberg.

one of our mission statementsistoconnecttheworld.Facebookconnectsyouandhelpsyousharethehumanexperience.We’remakingtheworldabetterplaceandfosteringunderstanding.There’ssomuchhateandbigotryandpeoplethatdon’tgeteachother,maybeFacebookcanchangethat.

a big part of it is mobile networking.Icandoalotofmyjobviamycellphone.Emailisadeadmedium.UsingFacebooktodoourcorebusinessmeansthatIgetanotificationonmyphoneandcanmanagemymillion-dollarprojectviamycellphone.Icanensurethere’saccountabilityandtransparency.

Social WorkHow Facebook has changed Burhan Syed forever.

Burhan

JOB DESCRIPTION

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We are more than builders. We are construction partners who work with you to build your career.

ACCLAIM

WAIT, THERE’S

MORE!Wayne Land (Management’70)receivedtheAlumniAwardofDistinctionforhisrolesasfounderofpropertymanagementcompanyOakwoodManagementLtd.andpast-presidentoftheNAITAlumniCouncil,andforhissupportoftheinstitute’sinternationalstudents.

Andre Gagnon (HeavyEquipmentTechnician’02),whoco-foundedfull-serviceheavyequipmentdealershipLiftBossMaterialHandlingGroup,receivedtheSpiritofNAITAlumniAward.Heisacurrentmemberoftheprogramadvisorycouncilanddonorofequipmentandscholarships.

ThisJuneattheSkillsCanadaNationalCompetitioninToronto,apprentices Brennan Roy-Bertin (AutomationandControl)andJacob Fluker (ElectricalInstallations)wongoldandachancetocompeteatWorldSkills2015inBrazil.

Michael Scheideman (RefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanic‘13),NAITgoldmedalwinnerfrom2013WorldSkills,wasnamedtheSkillsCanadaAlberta2014AlumnioftheYear.

Brendan Lunty(CombinedLabandX-RayTechnology’04)wontheinauguralBanffMarathonthisyearwithatimeof2:38:34.Luntyhaswonabouttwodozenofhisroughly80marathons.

WEB EXTRAFindoutwhatittakestobeoneofAlberta’sfastestmarathonersat

techlifemag.ca/brendan-lunty.htm.

AND THE WINNER IS...Recent awards and accolades for NAIT staff, students and alumni.

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DOOTSON NAMED FRIENDFortheleadershiphedemonstratedintheconstructionindustryandfordedicationtoapprenticeshiptrainingandsupportforNAIT, Roger Dootson (Carpenter’77)wasnamedthe2013DistinguishedFriendoftheInstitute.Theformervice-presidentofPCLConstructionManagementInc.wasalsohonouredin2012asaTop50AlumniandwithanAlumniAwardofDistinctionin2008.InacceptingtheDistinguishedFriendaward,DootsonincludedNAITinstructorsamongthosewhoplayedaroleinhis40-yearcareer.

INCLUSIVE EDUCTION Forhelpingadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesexperiencepost-secondaryeducation,NAIT receivedtheAlbertaAssociationforCommunityLiving’s(AACL)CommunityInclusionAward.Eachyear,ninestudentsauditavarietyofcoursestoearnacertificateandattendconvocation.“Whenyoursonordaughterisonthemarginsofsociety,oftenlookinginandwantingtobelong,NAITprovideswhatyoudreamedof,”saysAACLCEOBruceUditsky.

TOP CHEFSCulinaryArtsstudentsAshley Broad, Francis Flores, Peter Keith, Heena Kim, Michael Mak and Tung Nguyen returnedhomewinnersthisspringaftercompetinginthe2014FoodandHotelAsiaCulinaryChallengeinSingapore—themostprestigiouscookingeventinthatregion.Thebuddingchefsearnedeightsilverandbronzemedalsandawealthofworldlyexperience.

VICTORY FOR VEXVex Puzzles,amobilegameappdevelopedbyItzyInteractive,acompanyco-foundedbyKyle Kulyk (DigitalMediaandIT’11),wasnamedBestMobileEntertainmentfor2014byDigitalAlberta.Theappstandsoutbecauseitintegratesthegyroscopeandtouchscreenintogameplayasplayersconnectblocksofsimilarpatternsandcolours.“Ithoughtthatmadeforamorefluidpuzzlegame,”saysKulyk,“anditworked.”

WEB EXTRAVisittechlifemag.ca/itzy-interactive.htm tolearnaboutthechallengesofsucceedinginthemobileappmarket.

SKILLED VOLUNTEERSkillsCanadaAlbertanamedRefrigerationandAirConditioningMechanicchairTodd Matsubaits2014VolunteeroftheYear.Amongthereasonsarehismanyyearsoforganizingandjudgingeventsandmentoringmechanicswhohavegoneontowingoldatthenationalandinternationallevels.ForMatsuba,involvementwiththeorganization,whichexiststorepositiontradeandtechnicalcareersasafirstchoiceforyoungAlbertans,isitsownreward.“Igettoseethecompetitorsattheirfirstlevelofcompetitionandseethemgrow,”hesays.

SCORING LEADERCompetingforBarbados,Dale-Marie Cumberbatch(DigitalandInteractiveMedia’08,ComputerNetworkAdministration’09,BachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagement’12)finishedthe2014CaribbeanBasketballConfederationChampionshipastoppointscorer,femaleormale.DespiteCumberbatch’saverageof24.4pointspergameBarbadosfinishedthetournament,heldintheBritishVirginIslands,insixthplace.

v8.1 2014 65

REWIND

TRUE BLUEAre you ready to make an impact that goes beyond 9 - 5?

At Ledcor, we believe in the spirit of teamwork, community and giving back.

Join our True Blue team at Jobs.Ledcor.com

when landon schedler(above,Carpenter’10)heardlastfallthatmapleflooringfromtheNAITgymwasavailableforsalvage,hewasn’timmediatelyinterested.Itdidn’tfitwiththehigh-endfurnitureofOliverApt.,hisEdmontoncompanywithaninternationalclientele.Nordidhefeelapersonalconnection.“TheonlytimeIwasonthisfloorwaswhenIwaswritingthatfinalexameveryyear,”hesays.

Eventually,however,Schedlercouldn’tpassupthecreativechallengeandentrepreneurialopportunity.HeheadedtoSherwoodParkwhereMatt Bell,NAITStudents’Associationmarketingandcommunicationscoordinatoratthetime,haddirectedaboutadozenroughlytwo-by-two-metreslabs(afractionofthe1,100squaremetresreplacedlastsummer)tothegarageoffriendswhohadplannedtoremovetheoriginalcourtmarkingsandreusethem.“Itwasgoingtobemoreworkthanmybuddiesthought,”saysBell(Marketing’12).ThroughaconnectionwithoneofSchedler’scarpenters,thebuddiespassediton.

Knowingthevalueoftheflooringwasn’tthewood,Schedlertookanas-isapproachtorepurposingit.Otherwise,“you’denduplosing

thelinesandthat’sthewholecharacterofit,”nottomentionitsconnectiontoOoksheritagethatincludesthousandsofstudent-athletes.Atalocaloutdoormarket,hesoldabout10coffeetablesmadefromthestuffforbetween$150and$250each,buildingnewtieswithalocalcustomerbase.“There’sbeenagreatresponsefrompeoplewantingtoownapieceofhistory,”hesays.

AmongthemisLaura Tailleur(Marketing’09),apastOoksvolleyballsetterforwhomSchedlerembeddedmagnetsintoaroughly60-by-30-centimetrepieceofthefloortocreateabulletinboardforheroffice.“ThatwasactuallytheflooringthatIplayedon,”saysTailleur,whonowcoachesforaNAIT-ledlocalvolleyballdevelopmentclub.“ItrepresentsthefirstmajorgoalthatIhadinmylifethatIaccomplished.Playingvolleyballinpost-secondarywasreallyimportanttome.”

Now,Schedlerisrethinkinghisownappreciationofthematerial.“Ithinkafewtableswillendupmyway,”hesays.

“They’refunpieces.”

— Scott Messenger

Memories and new markets emerge from salvaged gym hardwood.

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TRUE BLUEAre you ready to make an impact that goes beyond 9 - 5?

At Ledcor, we believe in the spirit of teamwork, community and giving back.

Join our True Blue team at Jobs.Ledcor.com

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